Transport for London has just launched a glossy, expensive consultation on the Swiss Cottage gyratory system. Looking at the pack they have sent out, you would think that they were planning to rework the whole area. But not a bit of it. The consultation

Transport for London has just launched a glossy, expensive consultation on the Swiss Cottage gyratory system. Looking at the pack they have sent out, you would think that they were planning to rework the whole area. But not a bit of it.

The 'consultation' amounts to little more than a couple of minor bus stop changes. Groups like the Camden Cycling Campaign and the Belsize Residents Association, who have suggested a host of constructive changes, appear to have been completely ignored.

Yet the gyratory is in terrible need of a rethink. It is a huge physical blockage between east and west. It was designed for vehicles, not people. Cyclists take their life in their hands when they try to negotiate it.

Let's see some imagination. Look at Paris. The 'peripherique' motorway running around Paris now has parkland over parts of it, thereby linking inner and outer Paris. Imagine if you could walk over the Swiss Cottage gyratory system on grass!

More importantly, let's see some real consultation. Traditionally TfL has been concerned by traffic flow and bus lanes rather than the aspirations of local residents, pedestrians or cyclists. That has got to change.

Cllr Alexis Rowell

(Lib Dem) Belsize Ward

The Camden Cycling Campaign (CCC) was right to focus attention on the dangers of the Swiss Cottage gyratory (Swiss Cottage plan won't help us cyclists, H&H July 5).

The existing set-up is a nightmare for pedestrians and cyclists alike. The so-called consultation by TfL does little but tinker with the death trap.

I hold out little hope that this is a real consultation. It certainly takes no account of the prospect of up to 1,200 new secondary school attendees, largely from the west side of the borough, who may need to be making their way to the proposed Avenue Road site.

The simple solution to this nightmare gyratory is to reinstate two-way traffic and if cars are dissuaded from making journeys - good. But will they listen?

Paul Braithwaite

(Lib Dem) Cantelowes Ward