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
-
Permalink Reply by maggie on
-
Michael, in Crouch End there are barriers across New Road at the junction with Park Road, and barriers in the middle of Palace Road making the whole of that triangle between Middle Lane and Park Road up as far as Barrington Road access only.
-
Permalink Reply by Penny A on
-
The map is such a good visual tool! Wondering whether it might be useful to also colour yellow roads next to railway lines and the railway lines themselves. I know it's pretty obvious but the yellow might emphasise how hemmed in Harringay is by railway lines, parks and road closures and restrictions to the West and East.
-
Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
-
Yes, and how about anything that is naturally closed to through traffic?
-
-
Michael, there is also a small section bordered by Stroud Green Road/ Upper Tollington Park/ Victoria Road up to and including Lorne Road which has barriers and is access only.
-
-
Michael, Linden Road, West Green N15 3QB is a 'Home Zone' with planters in the middle of the street.
-
Permalink Reply by Ian on
-
Whatever the solution, serious consideration needs to be given to the ability of people to get along the pavements safely without scratching the cars. People have to be able to walk down wightman road to access the rail stations. With the current policy of moving car parking places so far onto the pavement it has become impossible to use if you are pushing a buggy / bike or want to walk alongside your children. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters. This is surely unacceptable?
-
-
Well in the spirit of the post, which I believe (Julia can correct me if I've misinterpreted) is that there is no clear cut "good option" but only "shades of grey" options, so let's talk realistically about the possibilities...my suggestion would be to make Green Lanes a red route, with bus Lanes operational during peak hours in both directions, and no parking at any time of day....then return the parking on Wightman Rd to parking fully on the road thereby making a much less attractive rat-running option but still allowing the Ladder residents/businesses the option of using Wightman as access in/out...slowing the traffic down so cyclists aren't intimidated etc and allowing people to use the pavements as they were intended. That doesn't cover all the problems in the area, but I think that would be damned good start.
-
-
The main reason that there is pavement parking (it's already a very thin road) and that the east/west ladder roads are one way is that there tended to be a lot of minor hit and run damage to parked cars. You're going to get that all over again if you move from the kerb parking. I think there is enough room at the Wightman Road end of the east/west roads to provide parking for Wightman residents, see this picture of the top of Fairfax for instance:
So now we have a Wightman Rd devoid of car parking, perhaps just down one side. Are we happy? Probably not because it would be back to 120,000 cars a week.
The sad thing is that the accepted solution to rat-running east and west of the ladder is the closure of roads to through traffic. This gets drivers' backs up and is quite heavy handed so very difficult to convince someone to do.
-
Permalink Reply by Maddy on
-
Although I can see arguments for keeping the traffic flowing I'm not in favour of Green Lanes becoming a much faster road or red route, especially in our part - Grand Parade - where people regularly cross the street between shops and bus-stops. I think the 20 mph speed limit should apply on GL too and pedestrians have priority over traffic especially at side-road junctions. This area is more than a thoroughfare, it is a neighbourhood.
-
-
The 20mph limit does apply on GL up to just north of Wood Green I think? Pedestrians already have priority over traffic at side roads (Highway Code rule 170) - it's another one of those rules for motor traffic that's never enforced.
-
Permalink Reply by Peter Chalk on
-
I propose a cycle highway for Wightman and other roads adjoining new river from Herts to City. For Turnpike and Green Lanes electric buses and cars would help reduce pollution. Need investment in public transport. And in regional development to take pressure off London!
© 2024 Created by Hugh.
Powered by
