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 Penny A on
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Big questions but so important for us to think around this bigger picture. Quality of life, health and wellbeing across Harringay – meaning Woodlands Park, Gardens, Hermitage, Warehouse/Cultural Quarter, Gardens, Wightman, Ladder etc - for all residents has to be a key consideration as our current levels of commuter traffic and pollution are unsustainable going forward 5, 10 years. It could be insightful to understand how other areas of North London have managed to retain residential pockets alongside busy A roads, for example Highbury, Camden etc?
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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I find it easier to understand things visually so I've started trying to map areas around The Ladder where there are traffic restrictions or closures here.
The areas impacted by closures and restrictions are coloured pale yellow and The Ladder in pale orange. As I'm not a driver I've had to do this from areas I either know about or those that look obvious on Google maps so there are going to be some mistakes and omissions. If you have a mind to, could people have a look at this and shout out with any mistakes/additions/tweaks. Ta
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Permalink Reply by Alexander Smith on
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I think you should include the other 2 Hornsey Vale roads where there is no entry from Tottenham Lane and no right turn into it (not just Uplands/ Rathcoole Gdns.) The whole scheme was originally to stop traffic using the Oakfield route so perhaps you should include that road too. And what about Lothair Road (North)?
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Permalink Reply by DavidJ on
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This is very useful.
I think that whole area to the East of Avenue road towards Seven Sisters benefits hugely from closures at the end of Roslyn Road - it very effectively stops the rat running in that area.
I would also include the one way at the end of Weston Park near the Crouch End clock tower.
Also - the one way on Inderwick is very effective as it is then left tun only (maybe Nelson is the same) - that whole area benefits.
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Alexander and David - thanks for that. I've added these (I hope)
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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I think you should colour in the parks yellow too, for completeness.... a very interesting map, I wonder if the council have a copy....
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Al I've done John is go into Google maps and used it to mark areas. Hopefully Haringey have something more sophisticated
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Florence Rd spilling out into Tollington Park is one way... does that count? It would just be a way of getting traffic from Blackstock Rd/Seven Sisters around the back of the park without going down Stroud Green Rd though I guess.
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There is also the area to the east of Hornsey Park Road, between Turnpike Lane and Green Lanes. There are series of one ways and a couple of blocks that mean most of those streets (if not all?) are not rat tun and through traffic has to go onto Turnpike, Green Lanes (Wood Green Hight Street) and Hornsey Prk.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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There's also the one way segment at end of Park Avenue South where it joins Park Road.
What are the traffic control measures you have in mind for roads directly to the south of Hornsey High Street?
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It's anything with the purpose of making the road or area a less attractive option for traffic. So from closures to things like chicanes, width restrictions, that kind of thing. Probably not humps as, given the experience on my road, they don't seems to make any difference. What I'm really trying to get at graphically is why traffic finds easier to go though the Ladder/Green Lanes than other places.
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