ackage of improvement measures.
Since March 2008 the council has been trying to broker an agreement with Sainsbury’s and Wildmoor Properties, owners of the Arena Shopping Complex, on a number of measures to ease congestion around Williamson Road, N4, and its junction with Green Lanes.
The council has worked with TfL to secure an upgrade of traffic lights around the junction, due to start on Monday 3 November.
Sainsbury’s has also submitted a planning application designed to reconfigure traffic flow at the southern end of Williamson Road, which it manages together with Wildmoor Properties.
But following months of discussions, the two landowners are still unable to agree on the council’s main solution for easing congestion in the area.
This would involve temporarily stopping the right turn into the Arena Shopping Complex’s car park entrance closest to Green Lanes, to prevent traffic conflict between motorists entering the car park and those exiting Williamson Road onto Green Lanes.
Temporarily stopping the right turn would also enable Sainsbury’s and Wildmoor Properties to introduce a new two lane discharge from Williamson Road into Green Lanes, with left and right turn exits, which the council believes would substantially cut waiting times for motorists.
Under the council’s proposals, motorists would still be able to enter the Arena Shopping Complex’s car park from an entrance further along Williamson Road, and exit the car park from the access closest to Green Lanes.
The council is extremely concerned that there will be severe traffic congestion around the site in the run up to Christmas if the two parties fail to reach agreement on this principal measure.
Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation, Cllr Brian Haley, said:
“We have now spent months in discussions with Sainsbury’s and Wildmoor Properties to try to seek a solution to these traffic problems, both in the interests of our residents and their customers.
“We made it clear all along that we felt a package of measures was necessary to tackle this congestion effectively. We do not believe that an upgrade of traffic lights or a reconfiguration of the traffic flow at the southern end of Williamson Road will be enough in isolation.
“So it’s incredibly disappointing and frustrating for us that Sainsbury’s and Wildmoor can’t reach agreement on our main solution to the traffic problems.
“I am convinced that in the run up to Christmas there will be even more traffic, more congestion and more frustration for motorists in Williamson Road and at the junction with Green Lanes.
“I would urge Sainsbury’s and Wildmoor to settle their differences as soon as possible, and prevent more misery being heaped on motorists in this area over the coming weeks.”
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Added by WightmanPaul at 13:55 on November 3, 2008
yley, "Cabinet" member responsible, a month ago and pointed to the likely worsening of the situation once Sainsbury's refit was finished. Now it may just be a 1st week rush, but even so, the circulation out of Wililamson Road needs sorting. There are some quick fixes which could quickly and cheaply ease the situation significantly. Hayley told me a month ago that it would be resolved as a matter of urgency.
Anyone else feel they'd like action on this, drop Hayley an email. (His address can be found with that for all Harringay Councillors and MPs via he main page naviagtion panel.)…
local.
Add this traffic to the traffic from the Heartlands development, the new Sainsburys in Hornsey, the Arena and the Tottenham Hale development traffic, it'll affect us a great deal here as well ant development affecting an important local amenity.…
ffic issues. I personally boycotted sainsburys for 2 years after getting stuck in the car park for 2 hours a few years ago unable to get out. (Think that was before they had the traffic marshals). And yesterday I would have gone to both Sainsburys and Homebase if I had been able to get in. As it was I spent almost an hour on a wasted round trip (most of it stuck in traffic, I only live in N15). It really puts me off using the Arena shops.…