Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Call for Temporary Car-free Streets in Haringey

A growing number of voices are urging Haringey Council to introduce temporary car-free streets. This has been made possible by a recent change to Government regulations that makes it easier to close off streets to cars during the current crisis.

Local authorities are being given greater powers to create car-free streets during the coronavirus pandemic so walkers and cyclists can practice social distancing more easily.

Brighton and Hove City Council has already closed one major road to cars, with officials also looking at other areas where streets could be closed to traffic.

If councils in England want to close streets to cars it ordinarily takes weeks to implement, but new Government guidance introduced on April 21 cuts red tape so local authorities can speed up the process.

However, the Department for Transport says such measures are only “temporary” and “will be withdrawn once conditions allow”.

Cllr Kirsten Hearn, cabinet member for climate change and sustainability, has shown Haringey's customary lack of enthusiasm for controlling car usage in the borough. She issued a statement responding to the calls saying,

Any decision has to be balanced against the requirements for essential travel during this period, including for critical workers, emergency vehicles, public transport, deliveries and loading activity."

Tags for Forum Posts: coronavirus, traffic

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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on May 1, 2020 at 6:38

As I understand it from another local authority I used to work for, if an application is made for a resident’s parking permit from an address that has been designated up as car free, the application is automatically rejected.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on May 1, 2020 at 3:58

Why does a car free development mean more cars? I don't get it.

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Permalink Reply by andy h on May 1, 2020 at 8:02

It doesn't. Only that objections to a development on the grounds of additional traffic or parking pressure at the planning consultation stage can be discounted. A No car development means no additional traffic.

The plan only breaks down if CPZ's in the area are less than 24hours and un enforced, in which case one could arrive home and park after 6pm, leave for work in the morning before 8am and park for free.

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Permalink Reply by Rory on May 1, 2020 at 10:58

I agree, Andy, but you'd be living a very high maintenance life if you bought a car but had to make it scarce from 8am to 6pm every weekday of the year, bar Bank Holidays. But yes, we should have more no car developments.

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Permalink Reply by andy h on May 1, 2020 at 13:46

I dont think it would be that onerous if you had parking at work. The problem would be if the CPZ restricted parking on weekends and only then if the wardens walk down the street. I'm in GLB area and I think we get a warden once a week possibly twice.

I'll have to sit in my front window for a week and check now that i have time.

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Permalink Reply by AndrewAW1 on May 1, 2020 at 12:21

I think the main issue here is how it would be organised.

It would be very difficult to make Ladder or Garden roads car-free without one street or another feeling discriminated against (everyone else can park on their road, why is mine different?). Making Wightman or Green Lanes car free isn't really an option because that would effectively mean making all of the Ladder and Garden Roads car free as there is no access.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Ruggles on May 1, 2020 at 13:20

I am sure that New Flat Sites must have a allowance for Disabled Drivers

Not forgetting that if a vehicle is registered and Taxed it can drive on any road

So I am sure there will be issues. If New property owners are not allowed to get area Permits

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on May 1, 2020 at 14:59

Wouldn't bother me, I haven't felt the need to own a car in the 14 years I've lived in London.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on May 1, 2020 at 19:10

It forms part of the contract you enter into when purchasing/renting the property - if you don’t like the idea you don’t enter into the contract. A Badge Badge allows you to park in a CPZ so it wouldn’t be an issue.