CYCLISTS welcomed new safety measures at a roundabout after figures revealed a rise in serious bike accidents. The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, revealed that serious cycling accidents in the borough went up by a third in

CYCLISTS welcomed new safety measures at a roundabout after figures revealed a rise in serious bike accidents.

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, revealed that serious cycling accidents in the borough went up by a third in 2007 and 2008.

Camden Council is consulting residents on its plans to slow down traffic on the roundabout near South Hampstead Overground station, which connects Belsize Road with Fairfax and Hilgrove Roads.

Lib-Dem Parliamentary candidate for Hampstead and Kilburn Ed Fordham, who is a cyclist, welcomed the safety measures.

Mr Fordham said: "It will at last connect Swiss Cottage with Kilburn High Road and West End Lane, safely and clearly signed."

But he said Kilburn had had a 'raw deal' from Transport for London in terms of cycling improvements.

"It's crucial that we fight for this sort of work. Camden should be the cycling capital of London and I'm determined to have Kilburn at the heart of that ambition."

Jean Dollimore, of the Camden Cycling Campaign, said the figures reflected the fact that there were a lot more cyclists on the roads.

But she said more safety measures were always welcome, and in particular called for the gyratory around Swiss Cottage station to be made two-way so that it is more friendly for cyclists and pedestrians.

A TfL spokeswoman said: "The numbers of cyclists killed or seriously injured on London's roads fell by around a fifth in the last decade, despite cycle journeys on major roads having more than doubled.

She added that the Mayor and TfL are investing a record �111 million in cycling in 2009/10. That money will be spent on the London Cycle Hire scheme, Cycle Superhighways, infrastructure, training, promotion and education.