Exhibition Rd Intersection

Hi everyone,

I'm involved in a project that aims to develop the intersection of Exhibition Rd and Kensington Rd, just at the gate of the road that cuts through Hyde Park. This intersection is in sore need of improvement, and one of the core aspects we aim to focus on is safety for cyclists and pedestrians. As such, it is important to us that we are aware of all the ways we can benefit the cycling community.

The most dangerous aspect of the current setup is the right-hand turn. Cars will enter the intersection (often in a hurry) and try to daringly inch over as close as possible to the right, in order to squeeze through a gap in the traffic.

Does anyone have any ideas that they would like to see explored? Possibly something that you've seen in the Netherlands, etc? This is a very initial stage, so we are open to any suggestions, no matter how modest or grand. We are currently considering several ideas, including underpasses, changing the numbers of lanes, optimising traffic signals, painting guidelines on the road, etc.

I look forward to hearing any ideas you may have.

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=51.50173,-0.174605&num=1&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&ll=51.500956,-0.176318&spn=0.011314,0.033023&t=m&z=16

The dutch fashion is to totally avoid conflicting movements. That is no right turn signal green with a straight-on/right in the other direction, at least for cyclists. But there model largely provides physically segregated tracks into/through and out of the junction.

If the problem is drivers misjudging gaps in oncoming traffic,
the sensible answer is traffic light-controlled right filters.
If the problem is traffic flow, ban right hand turns.

Another solution is extra traffic refuges on the kerbside,
where traffic wishing to turn right, is channelled into an additional lane, then under traffic light control, opposing flows pass passenger door-to-passenger door.

Since K&C spent £15 million or whatever reducing the roadspace by half on Exhibition Rd there have been a number of stealth measures implemented in order to keep all traffic inc; bikes from accessing Exhibition Rd, particularly from the A4.
However they've allowed NB traffic to turn right onto Kensington Rd, which is where the problem lies, as if you banned this turn you would reduce the mess of opposing R turning vehicles stuck in the middle of the road.
They also need to remove the ridiculous & totally unnecessary pavement which appeared at the end of West Carriage Drive prior to the completion of the works, which does nothing more than create a huge backlog of frustrated motorists unable to exit the park.
The residents voiced their concerns over the 'improvements' prior to completion but as with most of these vanity projects were ignored.
The result?
Motorists having to be reminded the £15 million pavement was two way!

The result?
Motorists having to be reminded the £15 million pavement was two way!

Hah, is there a more damning indictment of faux-shared space?

It's a beautiful irony that the residence of the Dutch Ambassador to London is situated right at the junction in question.

I'll bet she has to stifle a little laugh every time she steps out the front door and sees our £15 million shared space....

I used to cross that junction every day on my old job. Would get very messy at peak times, but cant think of how to improve it as preventing the right turn would send a shit ton more traffic down exhibition which would be disastrous.