Published: January 19, 2012
by SUSANNAH BUTTER

A NEW docking station for “Boris Bikes” in Camden Town has been branded unsafe by shop owners.

Cyril Chapman, 86, who has worked at Chapman’s sewing machine shop for 75 years, said the new rack installed in Parkway had been set up without nearby businesses being asked about the best spot to place it.

“No one was consulted about the docking station,” said Mr Chapman, a former Second World War paratrooper who now provides sewing machines and parts to hospitals, prisons and schools.

“They could have put it where there is more space, on Albert Street or the Prince Albert Road end of Parkway.”

David Mojarad, owner of Paradise Dry Cleaners, said: “We are not happy. Since they put that station here traffic has got worse. There are traffic jams for most of the day. We need two lanes here.”

He is concerned that it will be dangerous for cyclists to get on bikes at the spot and ride out straight out into such a busy road. Mr Mojarad added: “Pedestrians are banging into each other on the pavement as there is no space to walk along or push prams and wheelchairs.”

Parking is not allowed on Parkway from 8.30am until 10am and 4pm to 6.30pm so that the road remains clear for traffic. Critics say the bike rack cuts down the space and jams up the road.

Frank Boggi, owner of the Trattoria Lucca restaurant, said he spoke to a surveyor from Camden Council in November who was studying the road in preparation for the docking station installation.

“He said he’d get back to me about my concerns but I’ve chased it up and no one has spoken to me,” said Mr Boggi.

A spokesman for Camden Council said the docking station provided another way for people to visit the area, outweighing the loss of a single yellow line and said the Town Hall was considering adding some additional pay and display parking bays in the street.

No date has yet been announced for the bikes’ arrival in Parkway.