Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Hewitt Road - oil slick - update
Residents asked me to follow up the issue with the speed hump/service cover and resulting loss of oil from vehicles which (having driven too fast over it) leave a trail of oil.
Here is the response. The replacement cover should fix the issue but of course the larger problem of cars speeding down our roads continues. Its an issue I will continue to address with the council.
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Your enquiry about the Statutory Undertakers service cover in Hewitt Road outside no’40 LBH/2953114
Thank you for your enquiry.
A site inspection has confirmed that the speed hump has been constructed to the correct specification and conforms to the Highways (Road Hump) Regulations 1996, which is laid down by the Department for Transport. The speed at which you approach the hump should take account of the roads layout. The Highway Code states that 'the speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions. Driving at speeds that are inappropriate for the road and traffic conditions can be dangerous'.
However, it would appear that the cause of the problem is likely to be the protruding sewer inspection chamber near the speed hump outside no’40.
We will therefore ascertain who is responsible for this cover and request that they arrange replacement for a more modern style cover that will be flush with the carriageway when installed.
Engineering Projects Team
Project Engineer
Sustainable Transport Group
London Borough of Haringey
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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Gordon, I made another visit to the site this morning and took a closer look at the iron lid or cover.
And I now have more reservations than at first about the Council's official analysis.The ironwork does not protrude. This can be seen by inspection of the two sides (facing the sharp camber) and the 'trailing' or down-stream edge of the iron ring, that remain flush with the surface.
Anyone can check this for themselves.
However, below the 'leading' edge of the ironwork, the road surface has been gouged away by the impact of cars landing or grounding on the high center-line of the road. An oil sump (normally the lowest point below the engine) that has slid along the surface, then hits the immovable ironwork into which it is dashed.
The road surface at the leading quadrant is dug away about half an inch or so. Any re-surfacing attempted that is limited to filling in the hole, will IMO simply be subject to the same factors and would not be a sustainable solution.Highgate Ward Councillor-elect
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Permalink Reply by Gordon T on
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Clive, I'm simply asking Emine to continue to hold the officials to account, after their responses to Alan Stanton and Karen Alexander stated that actions would be taken.
For the last four years or so nothing has happened despite requests from residents. Changing that is what this is about.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Stanton on
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Gordon, I completely agree. We want a solution to the problem which works - whether it's a single factor or the interaction of several factors. And for the professionals involved - Haringey Highways and Thames Water - to talk to each other and get on with it.
Crucially we need the culture in this Department to change so an ethos of co-production with residents is embedded in how it works.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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I agree Clive. The cover does not protrude. If we let the Highways people keep talking about the cover they will not deal with the true problem, which is the speed bump combined with the road camber.
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John, earlier this afternoon, I watched a few vehicles traverse the hump-and-lid.
Larger vehicles and/or those with a long wheelbase seem less at risk.
Smaller or short-wheelbase cars seem to be more at risk. Due to the closeness of the two elements (c. three paces apart), rear wheels can be held aloft and tip the weight forward – at about the same moment when the engine's oil sump is in front of the ironwork. Speed might aggravate the effect.
I reckon that this combination has been catching out some motorists since the day after the hump was (mis)placed. Gordon's apt phrase, "perfect storm" captures it well.
Last year, the Council paid out compensation of £417,000 to motorists or pedestrians who sustained injuries or who suffered damage on the Borough's roads (H&H article).
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Focusing on fixing/reducing the problem (posted after further discussion on this thread):
This issue does of course have potential financial liability consequences for Haringey - for instance if the hump were moved up the hill by (say) 5 - 10 metres, thus leaving an 'admitting liability' avenue open to claimants against the Council, because it should have been put there in the first place.....
A 'fix' which eliminates or much reduces the Haringey liability (i.e. it's not THEIR inspection cover, it's Thames Water's) perhaps is the 'least ineffective' option, in terms of reducing the impacts. Perhaps not 100% effective, but some progress, for heaven's sake. Please make it happen......
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Permalink Reply by pipplypig on
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Im not sure anyone did actually come out the other day to make the spill safe. I couldn't see any evidence of any sand anyway.
Can you please update us with any news regarding progress with Haringey re long term measures?
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I'm not really sure why the council are finding it so difficult to figure out. They must have surveyors who are able to work out exactly what is wrong (rather than shifting the blame to the water company and leaving it to the residents ). I can't believe that with all the site visits and time spent communicating with residents etc that they are saving that much money by avoiding their responsibility here.
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Think about what else my be at stake.
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If that is it then we stand no hope as there must be literally hundreds of furious motorists with cracked sump tanks by now judging how long people have been complaining about this problem on HOL.
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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You know what happens when enough of the oil leaks out? Your little red light goes on and you need to turn the engine off immediately. You are probably just trying to do an illegal right hand turn out of Hewitt when this happens. I'm sure the council will have a defence should they be sued for a new engine that the person must have been exceeding the speed limit.
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