Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Imagining Possible Futures for Wightman Road
With all the attention on the benefits and disbenefits of the current closure of Wightman Road , we haven’t yet spent much time thinking about what the future of Wightman Road might be. With both the current closure and traffic study, now is the ideal time for us to start that process.
I should perhaps begin by saying that I write in full knowledge of the problems caused by the current closure, including the significant impact on some businesses and longer queues at some ‘pinch points’ especially at ‘rush hour’. I’m also very aware that there is more traffic on some roads such as Hornsey High Street, Green Lanes and Turnpike Lane as well as other roads further afield. Alleviating those problems needs to remain uppermost in our minds.
It seems like the most discussed longer-term solution to Wightman Road’s woes locally is permanent closure. Could limiting access, in the current way be the best solution to the danger, pollution and noise caused by the traffic in the block of residential roads made up of Wightman and the ladder roads?
I was one of those who previously thought this was impractical. But now I’m beginning to question this assumption. I’ve been taken aback by seeing and hearing how significant a difference it’s making to people lives; small children cycling to school, cyclists calling out to each about how lovely it is, Wightman Roaders being able to open their windows for the first time, kids skateboarding, hearing birdsong, walking to the station actually being pleasant.
The dangerous pollution levels along Wightman Rd which breach EU limits presumably have been eliminated, taking significant numbers of people including children out of real danger. As others have said this option could also create a pleasant and safe cycling, jogging and walking route, not just for residents of the immediate area, but for a wider group of people across Haringey and beyond.
The other reason for my change of heart is that as time goes on, the level of negative impact gives cause for hope that it may be possible to find good mitigating solutions for the traffic and pollution dispacement. Does anyone have any ideas about what could be done in the surrounding area to help buses flow or/and avoid traffic queues? Can anything be done about the pollution in Turnpike Lane and Green Lanes? What else would we need to think about?
If permanent closure is not the answer, it will be gut-wrenching just to go back to the old status quo and I think the Council will have a fierce fight on its hands if it wants to do that. So what other possible solutions are there that might both allow for an improved quality of life but allow some traffic flow to other Haringey residents? I’ve read elsewhere on HoL about the idea of road-pricing, or limiting access to HGVs. What could we do to drastically reduce cross London traffic rat-running along Wightman and the Ladder roads, yet still permit some access to more local traffic?
Is permanent closure the only option or is there another way?
Tags for Forum Posts: harringay traffic study, traffic, wightman bridge closure, wightman road
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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There's no single bus route I'm afraid, but it's two buses from the end of your road, Helen - W5 then 29 /141/341 from Green Lanes
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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We tried to get a bus along Wightman Rd a few years ago but Boris knocked it back, he thinks you should walk.
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Permalink Reply by Helen on
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It's such a slog though - hardly a pleasant stroll. Esp with reluctant littlies in tow. The two bus option is feasible but actually takes forever as the w5 is not frequent and then you're trundling along Green Lanes on the 29, whereas in the car you can go down Wightman, which is much quicker. I know that makes me the enemy - I am prepared to be "nudged" into changing my ways. I'd love a bus from Harringay Station to Seven Sisters tube via Wightman, one of the ladder roads and St Ann's Road. Or, if that's too much to ask, a continuation of the W5 route along Green Lanes (and preferably down St Ann's).
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Pshaw, you're not the enemy. You're just a person living her life like the rest of us. A car ride is definitely more covenient, I agree. I'll leave it to those better positioned to persuade you (and they can have at me at the same time!).
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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Helen, we've been through this bad public transport connection for Wightman Road before on HoL. The idea of a (mini) bus service was poo-pooed mostly by those who:
1. Are a two car family.
2. Are a one car family.
3. Have only ever seen the area on a map and have obsolutely no idea how hilly the terrain is up from the Green Lanes bus services.
We also tried the idea of slowing down the traffic by having regular (mini) buses stopping on Wightman Road @3bph (Every twenty minutes). All to no avail, I'm afraid to say. An extension of the W5 from the Arena to Turnpike Lane Station or an extension of the 153 from Finsbury Park via Stroud Green Road, Wightman Road to Turnpike Lane were all considered, but were kicked out by those, who as you say, don't have to drag two kids, plus the shopping up those hills.
John McM and OAE are your contacts on this.
But come to think of it, getting a better bus service, would be something useful for the 'Friend of the Park' councillor to do, rather than chasing chickens around Tottenham.
Even a loop working of the W5 to Turnpike Lane via the Arena, Green Lanes and back via Turnpike Lane Wightman Road would be something and less of a burden for Wightman Road. The drivers and buses taking Standing/Recovery time at the other end of the route.
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Seven years after the proposal for a W1ghtman Bus bit the dust, I still believe the 153 extension would be a good option for Harringay and Wightman Road. It would provide nice direct 'round the corner' connections from Wightman Road & Stroud Green to the Nag's Head & Turnpike Lane Station.
Looking at today's route on the map and then adding in an extension to Turnpike Lane, it is possible to see how the route 'flows' - Something I was always looking for in the doomed CR2 New Southgate Branch proposals, but never found.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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Helen, I'm on the other side of the tracks from you but walk over to your side to use the W5 all the time. The walk from Warham Road over the railway bridge to Quernmore Road to pick it up is much more pleasant now that Wightman is quiet. Takes me about 5-6 minutes door to bus. If it's a nice day I often just keep walking down to the end of Stapleton Hall Road and catch the 210 to Highgate. You might find the walk from your side down to Green Lanes via Burgyone to get the 29 or 141 is now actually a pleasure rather than a battle.
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Permalink Reply by Maddy on
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Blimey Michael that's quick - I'm just at the bottom of Umfreville and it takes me 5-6 mins to walk to the library...
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I'm over six foot and walk like other people run! Maybe 10 minutes is fairer.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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More a gentle trot, no?
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Permalink Reply by Simon Lewis on
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Hi Julia,
Totally agree with you we need to keep Wightman road permanently closed !
Its funny when you read these threads how quickly everyone becomes sidetracked into discussing all sorts of side issues.
FACT = Wightman road is a residential road that is used as a major rat-run causing huge misery for residents and ill health through noise and air pollution.
FACT = many other similar roads have been closed to traffic in the locality
fact = HUGE potential benefits for local residents. I truly believe that closure would dramatically improve the whole of the green lanes area.
FACT = it is not down to the residents of one road to worry about north London's traffic problems. Lets just focus on our own roads and our own health.
Yes there are some negative knock on effects of closure but again this is not a reason not to close wightman road.
I'm going to stat a new thread to discuss action plan to keep road closed for good.
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