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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I guess the regular visitors to any residential London Street will be delivery lorries, building supplies lorries and dustcarts.
Perhaps it's all doable, but at this point I don't see how they can turn round in our narrow roads.
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Permalink Reply by Antoinette on
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You should see the size of some of the dozens of lorries coming up Umfreville delivering to Jewsons...much bigger than dust trucks or fire engines
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I'd always assumed the Gardens residents paid for the fobs etc. If they don't, they blooming well ought to!
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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First one is free
http://www.haringey.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/parking/parking...
Also from the website it looks like the only scheme like this in the borough
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Well I say they should be covering the full cost, not only of the fobs but the maintenance costs too.
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Permalink Reply by Penny A on
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Sorry about that Hugh. Note to myself not to repeat hearsay from reading HoL comments when facts aren't known.
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No, not at all. It's better to air these things and scrutinise them openly.
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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It's always easy to blame others, rather than sit down and consider one's own actions.
Councillors must have thought out what their agenda and their position on certain things is going to be, before going public.. i.e. posting here. It's no good just waiting at the bus stop of current events and hoping that a good idea, a chance to have a dig, might come along.
It's really good to watch and read how councillors and their positions are scrutinised here. If that's bullying, then so be it.
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"Waiting at the bus stop of current events" is fabulous and I'll use it on every possible occasion.
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If only, like our buses, half a dozen good ideas would trundle along after we've put in our time at that bus stop of current events! Indeed it is a phrase to conjure with, Steve.
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Well, it was very late ! And I was pretty whacked..
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The title of this thread is Imagining Possible Futures for Wightman Road. I hope you don't mind me illustrating would could be done to acheive a more attractive, quieter and child friendly neighbourhood.
As an example, I have taken Maaßenstraße in Berlin-Schöneberg. An inner city area similar to Harringay. The style of housing may be different, Apartment buildings instead of terraced housing, but the mix of the population is similar. In fact, I think this area of Berlin is more densely populated than even Harringay.
Last year, a new scheme was introduced to narrow by half a street that had been used as a rat run, to reduce traffic and pollution and at the same time increasing the quality of life for the residents and people who use this street.
At the entrance of the street, the road had to be diverted through the central island in order to close it off to traffic.
Seen in both directions
Simple bench seating has been arranged around the trees.
As well as spaces where parents and children can meet after school.
Seating and litter bins (the round thing), have also been placed on the now defunct roadway.
Narrow passing areas and a change of sides of the road used for traffic has ensured that the traffic is slowed down.
An unused bike, presumably dumped, has a removal notice on it.
It's a question of priorities. Away from the main thoroughfares, pedestrians and bikes have the right of way.
Outside a school, the road has been narrowed to slow traffic down.
and in moving pictures..
Further along, next to a school, a side road has been closed for half it's length and now is used as part of an extended play area on a bomb site. A Berlin version of Fairlands Park.
Lastly, the positioning of parked cars is also used is also used to slow traffic.
and on narrower streets this may be angled parking.
Now I'm not suggesting all of this should be done on Wightman or on any of the Ladder streets, but perhaps those who are wary of such schemes and ideas, may now be able to better imagine, how more pleasant city life can be.. If the car doesn't always take priority over everything else. This isn't the only scheme of this type in Berlin, but it's quite a new concept.
All photos and videos are mine.. Taken on a Monday afternoon in April 2016 at around 16:00. Orange is the colour of cleaner streets in Berlin.. All bins and dog poo bag dispensers (seen in photos and videos) are orange. I won't mention the lack of litter... ;-)
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