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 Michael Anderson on
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Well, before the current closure of Wightman I wasn't convinced that it was the permanent answer to the problem of through traffic. Even though the current arrangement has been difficult for many people, and not just car drivers but public transport users too, it's not quite the Armageddon I thought it might be. I've come around to seeing that measures to deal with traffic on Wightman are central to changing the way that traffic uses the Ladder.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Yvonne, my guess is that what you and Andy are seeing Is what is commonly witnessed by local government and the media. That is that those wanting change which they perceive as critical for their quality of life are almost always much more passionate and vociferous than those seeking to preserve the status quo. We saw this phenomenon operating at a national level recently with the Scotland Question.
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Permalink Reply by Yvonne on
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I stand by what I said Hugh. This forum in no way reflects democracy. It is dominated by a few who throw their weight if anyone dares to disagree with them. I have said this before and will say it again - we live in London and that comes with benefits and disadvantages. If the disadvantages outweigh the benefits then one should reconsider where they live.
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Permalink Reply by Penny A on
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I understand your position Yvonne but it seems practically every local London area hemming in the Ladder is benefiting and we are suffering. Health and wellbeing are recognised as integral to this council appointed traffic review and the current pollution levels are damaging and need to change. Perhaps your Ladder Road suffers from less traffic and you are OK but many are high with almost 18,000 vehicles a week and are near primary schools. Reducing pollution - both nosie and fumes - is key to those of us who are seeking to claim a London and local right of lower risk living. On a personal level I too couldn't see why the whole of wightman road needed to be closed, I wanted to able to take my quick drive down Wightman road. I have accepted the situation and changed my behaviour by using my car much less and walking more. Transition is hard but can lead to growth and better ways of living.
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Ah, the old "don't like where you live, leave" argument.
As people have said many, many times, when they first moved to the ladder, the traffic was nowhere near as bad.
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Permalink Reply by andy h on
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When I was born there were still horses and carts in the west end . Bring it all back is what I say..
It was great then - we even played football on Oxford street on bank holidays . We only had the buses to deal with. Great music ,no inter web. Or mobiles. Rickets, TB, and If you wanted to talk to your mates you actually had to go out and make friends.
Looks like I'm moving then..
Still' I never would be missed' as the song goes. -
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Hugh, I don't believe I ever advocated the status quo.
I think I started from the point of view that 'congestion charging the arse' (I think those were my words) out of drivers from out of London, ( the greater good for all) I pointed this out to Ken Livingston when the inner London zone was proposed - Stoney ground would best describe the response from him.
I was told on another tread that 'grand schemes' we're not the way to go and metaphorically speaking to butt out. Interestingly, I see John is looking to the future and a grand automated scheme. I then, in a slight fit of pique I embraced the local and suggested the exact traffic calming measures that are now appearing on this thread. Pinch points and home zones with trees in the middle of the road.
It's nice to see the conversation catching up and sensible measures being proposed.
Re: Scotland I was a great believer in the Union until our politicians turned us into a federal state with only 4% of the population voting for it. (Ironically I believed that was the answer but I don't remember getting a vote) So the sooner they go the better in my view then we can build a trump like wall and forget about them.
But that's for another tread.
Apologies for getting involved again.
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No apologies needed. My comment was aimed at the general tenor of this and other threads. In referring to the 'status quo' I had no intention of describing your opinion or Yvonne's.
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Having said that, Status Quo's 'Heavy Traffic' might be an anthem for us all!
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Permalink Reply by Paulie on
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I suspect when you moved to the ladder, John, the traffic nowhere was as bad.
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Paulie it was certainly not as bad when I moved here in 1993, but just because something is bad now doesn't mean it shouldn't change. The parts of Harringay that have not benefited from traffic calming need holistic and strategic review including Green Lanes. This is not to create leafy enclaves and gentrified pockets it is to put resident's/pedestrian/cyclist health and well being above the commuting moterist.
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Penny and Henry
I have never disagreed with that. I was simply pointing out that traffic in general has increased and that (by implication) we should all surely have known when we moved to the area that our roads would see more cars in time. I would in any event suggest that there should be a traffic plan for the whole of London and not just Harringay or even Haringey but I'm afraid I can't see it ever happening because too few politicians seem to care about such matters.
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