Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Harringay Festival Traffic Arrangements
Yesterday I learned that the arrangements for traffic on Sunday the 20th September 2009 in Harringay, from 7am to 7pm, would be as follows:
Green Lanes closed from the Bridge to St Ann's
No access onto Green Lanes from either side on the closed section
Buses and HGV's diverted around Seven Sisters and St Ann's
Ladder rung roads two way for the day
Other through traffic diverted up Endymion
The Gardens' bollards to be open for the day
It was acknowledged, at the meeting, that one inevitable consequence would be, with no restrictions on Wightman Road, that traffic would use that as an alternative route for the day.
The LCSP meeting was not an appropriate forum to raise the points which immediately came to my mind. These included:
Disappointment that the Festival Committee felt it legitimate that part of Harringay be burdened with yet another nightmare traffic day without regard to the factors which were voiced at the recent Traffic Area Assembly
Concern that the decisions were taken in the absence of detailed or meaningful consultation in relation to traffic with those people who would bear the brunt
A feeling of 'déjà vu' tinged with irony that the Festival Committee process seems to have fallen victim to the Haringey consultation malady
A sense that this is a de facto definition, by those who were party to these arrangements, that Harringay Ladder stops just short of Wightman Road and that they are quite happy for that road to remain a transport amenity for through traffic.
Clearly, since Wightman residents are in the minority, I'm girded for the expected torrent of 'kill-joy' and 'well go away for the day' etc. These reactions miss the point that The Festival was sold as inclusive and not just about Green Lanes' traders. The residents of this road might rightly expect their interests to have been considered.
Green Lanes closed from the Bridge to St Ann's
No access onto Green Lanes from either side on the closed section
Buses and HGV's diverted around Seven Sisters and St Ann's
Ladder rung roads two way for the day
Other through traffic diverted up Endymion
The Gardens' bollards to be open for the day
It was acknowledged, at the meeting, that one inevitable consequence would be, with no restrictions on Wightman Road, that traffic would use that as an alternative route for the day.
The LCSP meeting was not an appropriate forum to raise the points which immediately came to my mind. These included:
Disappointment that the Festival Committee felt it legitimate that part of Harringay be burdened with yet another nightmare traffic day without regard to the factors which were voiced at the recent Traffic Area Assembly
Concern that the decisions were taken in the absence of detailed or meaningful consultation in relation to traffic with those people who would bear the brunt
A feeling of 'déjà vu' tinged with irony that the Festival Committee process seems to have fallen victim to the Haringey consultation malady
A sense that this is a de facto definition, by those who were party to these arrangements, that Harringay Ladder stops just short of Wightman Road and that they are quite happy for that road to remain a transport amenity for through traffic.
Clearly, since Wightman residents are in the minority, I'm girded for the expected torrent of 'kill-joy' and 'well go away for the day' etc. These reactions miss the point that The Festival was sold as inclusive and not just about Green Lanes' traders. The residents of this road might rightly expect their interests to have been considered.
Tags for Forum Posts: Wightman Road, traffic
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Paul, interesting post. Sorry to hear you're out of sorts about the festival traffic. However, I don't think this is Ladder vs. Wightman at all. Half the Ladder Roads (Warham and all those north) will not be made 2-way as far as I understand it and they'll take additional traffic along with Wightman. So, this isn't an occasion for them and us.
As to consultation, nothing's a done deal yet. If you feel that Wightman Road N4 RA should be included in the organising group, and why not, drop a line to Dasos & Councillor Canver. I can't see that they'd do anything but welcome your involvement.
It's my personal view that even though some roads will be negatively impacted for the day (and I'm quite sure my road - Hewitt - will be one of them), those of us those on roads can live with more traffic for one day in return fro a really positive community event. This is a completely different issue from the more general traffic issue. You know how strongly I feel about that and I'm not at all sure that it gets us anywhere to mix the two issues up.
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Permalink Reply by WightmanPaul on
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I can hear Eddie gnashing his teeth at the idea that there could ever be a Wightman vs. Ladder issue. Wightman is part of the Ladder, a Ladder made soley of rungs is like a cuppa made soley of tea . . . . . .
But the fact remains that traffic will not, as your form of words inadvertantly suggests, be shared between Wightman and the side roads. The correct analogy is that of series and parallel electrical circuits. The current will be shared on the parallel branches but will all flow along the only route to earth - Wightman. As to whether folk in general are approving of another weekend day of saturation traffic - well it'd be nice to be asked. Personally, I'd say close Wightman to through traffic at the top of Warham. We'll have to agree to disagree on there being two separate issues, just like traffic isn't separate from parking I guess.
I take the point about contacting Dasos and co. The reason I hadn't was that it was made clear earlier that the meetings were by invitation, hence the need for outreach consultation.
On a more positive note, with Wightman closed I would love to see the top half of the 'heights' including the passage used for a fitness event with Fitness First getting involved.
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Eddie's a peach, and I have always accepted the point he makes, but I used the term merely to identify a group of roads. Let's not get into point scoring on this Paul. I agree with Eddie. OK?
I don't doubt that Wightman might be more badly affected by the traffic on that day but It's inevitable that the north Ladder-rung roads from Warham up will also suffer. Certainly that's my expectation. But it's just for a day Paul.
I'm a fan of consultation. The sense I've got from views aired on this site is that people are generally enthusiastic. But I can see a case for broader consultation and whether I agree with you or not, you have a legitimate viewpoint and I wouldn't oppose a consultation in any way. Unfortunately, life's not that simple. I'm single newboy member of a group where the decisions are taken by the lead councillor.
The point about the meetings being by invitation only is sadly true, but as I've said on another thread, I'm a lone voice continually making my viewpoint clear that things shouldn't be decided until there's some broader agreement from the people of Harringay. I stand by that, apparently to the chagrin of other group members. True, I didn't have the Wightman issue in mind, but now you've brought it up, as I've said, why not.
If you want to be involved Paul, don't wait to be invited. The more residents involved the better from my point of view. I haven't over the past year or so. I think the only invitation you should need is if you feel that satisfied that you represent a constituency whose voice has a right to be heard.
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We agree too much to make an argument sustainable but here's a thought. It shouldn't be a Community Festival with a price of yet another day of hellish traffic for some. If it's a Festival worth having, the price should be the closure of Green Lanes and Wightman at Warham. To me that's an inclusive solution with the added attraction of lending symmetry to the occasion. I'll put the suggestion to Dasos.
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