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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

With the latest news about The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khans purchase of the St Anns site I was wondering if this would be the perfect opportunity to build a new Cycle path through the St Anns Site to escape the dangers of Green Lanes.

Its much flatter than Wrightman Road and could be a nice ride parallel to Green lanes, flat, peaceful and safe away from the traffic. The obstacles would be going under the railway and over the new river. But im sure it could be done, especially with now that the Mayor has bought the St Anns site.

As an alternative it could run along Warwick Gardens.

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Seems like a fine idea to me, EXCEPT for the portion running alongside the reservoirs.

Personally, I don't get why planners consider it okay to send metal machines capable of high speeds and inflicting serious injury along quiet paths intended for pedestrians to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life for a while.

Walking along canal paths etc where bikes are allowed is experience enough to tell anyone that whilst some cyclists are considerate, others are not and most seem to expect you to get out of their path without delay.  

Fair point Hugh. Maybe its best just to cary on along Lordship Road and onto the back streets of Stokey.

I'd certainly see that as a better option.

Sorry to break it to you Hugh, but that path alongside the reservoir is already a marked cycle route - Hackney and Waltham Forest Council's Wetlands to Wetlands route: http://news.hackney.gov.uk/wetlands-to-wetlands-cycle-route-ready-f...

The key to development of cycle routes in this area is the proposed route from Tottenham Hale to Camden, which should align with Seven Sisters Road. A direct route on that road, if completed to high enough standard, should take most of the 'through' bike traffic, hopefully leaving the quieter park-style routes for people in less of a hurry.

That’s a shame.

On that subject I often wonder when looking across at the dinghys what it would take to open a route along the south side of the West Reservoir and exit by the climbing centre? 

I run past the reservoirs most weekdays and cyclists aren't a problem at all. There are hardly any of them and the ones that are there are considerate. The path is wide enough for everyone.

Someone else mentioned ringing bells - I find that very useful. When I hear a bell behind me it reminds me not to make any sudden changes in direction. Other pedestrians make me wish I had a bell sometimes!

I agree Hugh - that annoying little 'coming through!' ding to announce them, rather than taking their time to pass pedestrians safely. Also that section of the reservoir is part of the Berkely Homes newbuild and I doubt they'd be happy.

When that bit of the development is finished the road through there before the reservoirs will be nice and quiet and dump you out onto the passable bit of Green Lanes in Hackney.

I agree with you about the entitlement of some cyclists, I will just wait now.

Did you know that it is perfectly legal to cross the road anytime and where where you like and that traffic should stop for you but that you should not linger and hold the traffic up? The thing that motorists have done to combat this required brief application of the brakes is to mow them down and then plead SMIDSY in court. It makes cyclists seem like harmless saints in comparison.

Hi Nigel, thanks for this. A similar idea for a route aligned as you suggest has been knocking around for quite a few years. We discussed cycle permeability of the St Ann's site some months ago and in some detail with the St Ann's Redevelopment Trust when they came to one of our monthly meetings (which anyone is welcome to attend!). There are some exciting opportunities for the site to improve cycle permeability for the development itself and to help facilitate other local cycling and walking journeys. We have also provided comment on how the site itself could be made cycling and walking friendly for those who may eventually live there, specifically how to create walking and cycling infrastructure that compliments each mode of transport rather than creating conflict.

Clearly getting over the New River would require a serious investment. There was a proposal for this some years ago but I understand it was not supported by the people living either side of the proposed bridge!

While such a route could provide a quiet alternative to Green Lanes we are of the opinion that cycle permeability in St Ann's should be complimentary to, but not instead of, safer cycling on Green Lanes. Green Lanes is where all the destinations are so is likely to be the start/end point for most local 'utility' journeys, and will remain the most popular route for longer distance journeys. Enfield have built cycle tracks, safe enough for children to use independently, up to the borough border and it's looking likely Hackney will do the same on their section of Green Lanes. We specifically asked in our pre-election requests for support for similar improvements in Haringey (you can read more about that here: http://www.haringeycyclists.org/campaigns/5asks/)

Unfortunately for Green Lanes and by default Wightman Road,  a toxic mix of a powerful Traders Association who don't want their businesses disrupted and no political will on the part of the council means we are years away from this becoming a reality. 

We have always, it seems, been years away from this. In fact the only time we ever got anything positive done about traffic in Harringay was after the close fought 2010 election, where we had the temerity to elect two Lib Dem councillors and got a controlled crossing outside Mount View Court and a 20mph limit on Wightman Rd. During the same period the Gardens were designated a living streets area. Sadly we do not select Labour candidates in Harringay via the horse trading that seems to go on in St Ann's (or at least it used to go on).

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