B221

This article is about the current B221 in Clapham.
For the original B221 in Catford, see B221 (Catford).

The northern end of the B221

The B221 is a South London route that is urban or suburban throughout. It is mostly straight and reasonably wide. LT buses use it as a route throughout. The road was originally unclassified but had gained its number by the middle of the 20th century.

It starts at a traffic light controlled turning from the A3 at Clapham North tube station. On the left corner of the road is a pub which is imaginatively titled The Clapham North. We go under the railway bridge carrying the London Victoria to London Bridge and Victoria to Bromley South via Beckenham Junction lines. The housing here is mostly flat conversions of Victorian town houses or newer built low rise apartments.

There is a light-controlled crossroads with the A2217 Clapham Park Road/Acre Lane and we go straight across here into Kings Road. A sign warns of "New Signal Crossing Control Ahead", with a "Kill your Speed" sign underneath, just so you don't miss the message. A bus lane appears southbound, together with cushion type speed bumps. These are almost flat, though, and are mainly used to create a visual obstruction. This was formerly a route frequented by "boy racers" and the author witnessed a serious hit-and-run accident here at a zebra crossing. There is a school on the right to add to the mix.

The northbound bus lane gives up at a light controlled crossroads. The right turn into Crescent Lane has been blocked for all except cycles. South of the junction the northbound bus lane starts up again. Kings Road is very "leafy" and lined with lots of trees. The buildings are set back, but it's still mainly flat conversions. Another Pelican (a staggered crossing) is passed.

A sign indicates the approach to the Primary Route, A205 South Circular. Underneath the sign is a roadside shrine to "Danny". We go straight across the lights again and over the other side there are some larger houses. As we curve to the left the road on the right takes over the road name: Thornton Avenue. Another set of lights is passed, which seems unnecessary as it's for two minor roads and plenty of space is available for a mini roundabout. Full road humps now appear. Then there's a mini roundabout for a local-road crossroads with Telford Avenue.

There's another bend to the left and another road name change for the emerging road: Sternhold Avenue. Ahead is a small one-way system around Streatham Hill rail station, which is in a cutting here. The northbound road disappears around the other side of the tracks and two lanes take us to the end if the road. Left is the A23 to Central London and right is the same road towards Brighton. It you want to get anywhere take neither - go straight ahead into the unclassified Leigham Court Road.