Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Endymion Road Zebra Crossing
Does something need to be done before there is a serious accident or a death?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gordon T on
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Alan, I've now sent a slightly expanded version of my previous post to frontline@haringey.gov.uk (expanded by asking if they've recently done or reviewed any safety assessment of the current crossing).
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Thanks, Gordon. I've emailed asking the Highways staff - or whatever they're now called - to read through the comments on this thread. Given the experience of different people the suggestion for traffic lights seems very sensible.
Let's hope that even as a 101 Department they will take this seriously.
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Looked at it today as I drove 'down' Endymion Road (west to east, that is). It doesn't help that from that direction, the offside Belisha beacon (the one on the opposite pavement, if you like) is hidden by a tree branch overhanging the fence (couldn't tell if it was in Finsbury Park or on the New River bank). The beacon only reappears too close to the crossing to be a safe warning.
This deserves attention and action, and I have said as much to frontline@haringey.gov.uk
in a followup+repeat of the earlier email. We shall see.....
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Presumably the tree branch obstruction could be solved quickly at low cost - and without too much damage to the trees. (Though it wouldn't tackle the other issues which people have raised.)
A few years ago I recall that some HoL members who regularly cycle along Green Lanes reported a different overgrowing tree branch problem. Streetlights were being obscured along the Finsbury Park fence.
This and the crossing hazard are exactly the sort of problems where we all benefit from vigilant residents reporting what they see to the Council. Provided of course that Council staff are ready and able - and allowed by their bosses - to listen and respond quickly and thoughtfully.
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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P.S. Gordon, you may be interested to see that Google Maps StreetView (images currently from May 2012) shows the same problem. The south side Belisha beacon is partly obscured as you describe.
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It's street art, John. One of series of pieces created last year by sacchetti sculptor Bagsy.
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I did follow up again, with the Streetview image as well as the previous 2 emails..
The 'Single Frontline Technical Support Team Leader' has emailed back that I will have a reply within 2 weeks. Will relay it when it comes.
PS Driving today, the crossings on St Ann's Road, comparable to Endymion Rd (if not busier) for traffic volume, are 50/50 zebras and lights.
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Yes, thanks, and it wasn't nearly as obscured in May 2012 as it is now - I guess a second follow-up with a Google Streetview link *might* help.
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Below is the full text of the reply I received from Haringey Council. In brief: there have been 2 slight injury accidents, neither involving pedestrians, in the last three years; no plans to convert to a 'puffin' crossing with traffic lights; the borough-wide 20 mph proposal may see roads where speeding is an issue take priority for building speed humps etc.
Thank you for your correspondence regarding pedestrian safety at the zebra crossing on Endymion Road, by the northern edge of Finsbury Park.
I can assure you that the council regards road safety, particularly pedestrian safety, as a high priority and actively promotes road safety measures across the borough to reduce vehicle speeds, the number of road traffic accidents and to enhance the environment for all road users.
It should be noted that all traffic signals in Haringey are managed and maintained by the Traffic Directorate Unit (TDU), of Transport for London (TfL). However, the Council provides details and instructions to TDU regarding the placement and maintenance of traffic signals. The introduction of a pedestrian crossing will require extensive modelling of the area in order to assess its impact on traffic flows and adjoining junctions in the area. The funding and time scale to design, model and assess the net impact can be quite significant.
Unfortunately our current works programme does not contain a provision to explore the option of replacing the above zebra crossing into a Puffin crossing at this time. More emphasis is now given to investigating neighbourhoods rather than individual roads and a more holistic approach has been adopted to address transport related issues within identified neighbourhoods. We have developed a way of prioritising the selection of neighbourhoods in need, by carrying out an assessment using a number of factors including walking routes, cycling routes, road casualties, defined employment areas, town centres and regeneration areas.
However, as you maybe aware, we are currently consulting residents and businesses on the possible introduction of a default borough-wide 20mph limit. The consultation commenced in July 2013 and will run until the end of October with a report being presented to Cabinet in November. Traffic calming measures will be prioritised at schools and at roads where speeding is an issue.
For your information, I have investigated the latest 36 months collision data in the vicinity of the Zebra crossing and can confirm that there has been 2 recorded slight personal injury accidents, none of the accidents involved pedestrians.
With regards to some tree branches overhanging the fence and impeding visibility of the Belisha beacon, I acknowledge that this may be a safety issue and I have therefore forwarded your concerns to our Arbouricultural department for there information/action.
Yours sincerely, [ ] Project Engineer Sustainable Transport Group London Borough of Haringey
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So they've assured you that "the council regards road safety, particularly pedestrian safety, as a high priority and actively promotes road safety measures" . . . blah blah blah. Reads like a standard template reply.
And they looked up the accident statistics. Fair enough.
But no mention of a visit. Not even that they bothered to look at Google Street View. And certainly no indication of any urgency. Or that several local residents have expressed their concerns. Crucially, not the faintest sign of a willingness to do some fresh thinking about the problem.
Instead, reasons why action can't and won't be taken. Except referring to the "Arbouricultural department for there (!) information/action".
This is an example of why I call Haringey a "101 Council". And especially this part of the Environment Department. There are always at least 101 possible reasons why council officers are right; always at least 101 reasons why residents are wrong.
Some 25 years ago I did some research about cooperative and collective teamwork. One thing struck me about hierarchical organisations which tried to tackle certain problems which are endemic in parts of our Council.
- Low expectations;
- "Not our department";
- "We've always-done-it-this-way";
- A general pervasive no-can-do attitude.
- "We're doing it already".
For these "cultural" problems they tended to try inappropriate structural or personnel solutions. Either restructure or replace staff. Often they lurched from one to the other and back again- like the old joke about the three envelopes.
There's a fairly reliable rumour that tomorrow Haringey is going to announce both solutions at once. This may work. But not unless there is also a change in the organisation's culture.
(Tottenham Hale ward councillor)
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