Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Tottenham High Road is beyond saving
Haringey Council is at it again. They are putting forward yet another consultation plan on the future of Tottenham High Road. The council have 'identified' parts of the moribund centre for 'investment', while completely ignoring the fact that for so long, many of their policies have caused so much damage to the wider area.
On top of a poorly maintained environment, restrictive parking zones, and poor planning controls, many traders have now suffered a double whammy with the recent riots that has seen many shops and stores on the brink of collapse and others have closed completely. They also have to put up with the stupid "I Love Tottenham" campaign, a cynical publicity stunt trumpeted in the council's "People" freesheet.
The so-called help the council given to traders is too little too late, at a time of an economic downturn in which more public-sector staff already serving one of the most jobless and deprived areas of the country are facing the sack. Football club Spurs' recent decision to stay at White Hart Lane may please the massive number of fast-food outlets who are dependent on them for most of their income, but beyond that there never will be anything to entice people to shop and spend time locally as private investment remains nonexistent. The wider area will continue to stagnate socially, while the few locals with money to spend will continue travelling to neighbouring shopping and cultural areas instead.
The just published report by government advisor Mary Portas into the future of the High Street argues that some of main shopping areas are beyond saving. I have long said that Tottenham High Road at the present time is beyond saving, and I believe Haringey Council should divert the resources from what is currently spent in this 'black hole' to support the borough's other main shopping areas, including of course, the vibrant Green Lanes.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by matt on
-
The one way system is a killer for trade Neville, particularly the High Rd section running between Philip Lane & West Green Road. Would it not make sense to return this to two way traffic and trying to link the Brove Grove end of the High Rd shops with the Severn Sisters end?
As to investment it depends what local people are looking for in their area. Has a survey been done? Many businesses on West Green road serve local needs do they not? Why can't this be expanded on? Maybe there aren't enough viable shopping areas attractive to prospective entrepreneurs who need footfall.
-
Permalink Reply by pamish on
-
The one way system / Tottenham Gyratory is going. Work has already started.
-
Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
-
It's the same one-way system, Matt. There's only one which includes the High Road. Take a trip and see what Transport for London have already started to do.
-
-
And I won't have to drive a mile and a quarter round the block to get home, on my rare car trips out. But still can't turn right into Broad Lane from the High Rd heading north, so obviously designed by strangers who forgot that people live here as well as drive through here. And it will doing nothing about West Green Road, as it 'wasn't in their remit'.
-
-
OK got it! Should be better no? And good map overview of area changes.
But see your point about no right turn from High Rd into Broad Lane pamish
-
Permalink Reply by Maddy on
-
One-way systems often seem to to mean having to drive twice as far, which must surely increase overall traffic significantly.
-
Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
-
I remember the High Road before the one-way opened in April 1970. The right turn into Broad Lane was the problem back then too.. Causing traffic to tailback to Amhurst Park (Seven Sisters Road & Stamford Hill) at peak times..
It surely would be a problem again if re-introduced?
-
-
-
Personally I can't see why a right turn would be impossible. But Stephen and Transport for London (TfL) may be right about possible tailbacks. They count vehicles and do computer modelling.
Have you actually asked them, Pam? The answer might be interesting. Also, London Assembly Member Joanne McCartney is very good at taking up TfL issues.
As a general point, I'd like to see TfL pay more attention to ideas from local residents and the problems they raise. Quite a while ago, their staff came to an Area Assembly to talk about the two-way scheme. Residents who lived in adjoining streets suggested improvements. I proposed TfL should set up a residents' group which - even if it met once a year - might have a useful function. The TfL people showed no interest.
But they aren't completely impervious to good ideas and seem to respond if nagged. The lead-up to the London Elections is probably a good time!
-
-
I was at that meeting. I asked about the right turn into Broad Lane (it would be my personal biggest gain from all this). He said No. I asked what about West Green Road, how would these changes improve it? They said their remit was only the High Rd and one-way. So a golden opportunity to sort out the whole area was lost. Consultants, hey?
I had made these points in the written consultancy thing too.
To turn right will now mean some sort of wriggle through the back streets behind Wards Corner, coming back onto West Gn Rd which will then cross directly into Broad Lane. Except these clever experts will probably have thought of that so I'll have to go up St Anns Rd as they will block off the back streets, you watch. Those who live here don't count, it's keeping the traffic moving that matters.
-
-
Do you want to try Joanne McCartney? I'm hopeful she can at least get you an actual answer rather than just a blank "No".
-
-
Permalink Reply by matthew cuthbert on
-
Hurrah!, less generated (needlessly diverted) traffic for the Hale, it takes time for these system fads to pass.
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
