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

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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on April 18, 2016 at 15:13

They show that there IS appetite for road closures by the council but that it needs to be easy. I think the more you show the better and you're going against the colouring done by Michael there too if you're saying we're not the experts to decide which ones affect us and which don't. Billy Hoyle reported that he though the A10 was busier after the Wightman closure. That's a long way away.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on April 18, 2016 at 15:37

John and Hugh.
Firstly you can use the colours or just regard them all as blocked out areas as you so wish. I don't want colouring in to become a major bone of contention!
Secondly, the only way we are going to know origin and destination is from the traffic study and as I understand it this question will be part of the work. Once we have that data much more realistic mapping can be done. At the moment it's simply to get a feel for what surrounds us and I think the map strongly indicates (colours or no colours) a real "funnel" effect where zones of prohibition lead to bottle necking of traffic into the area.

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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on April 18, 2016 at 15:44

If John and Billy are correct, then a lot of the usage originates north east of Tottenham and is looking for a way through to south west of Harringay..

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Permalink Reply by maggie on April 18, 2016 at 15:57

According to Michaels graphs there is more traffic going south on Wightman, however the difference between trafic going south or north isn't that great. https://api.ning.com/files/8K9PBzFRZs4Od8RcZaav1yNy36iGfPzWGlv-wpRg...

However I'm not sure whether the stats distinguish between times of day, so perhaps it sort of equals out between trafic travelling south in the morning and then returning home in the evening.

Permalink Reply by AndrewAW1 on April 18, 2016 at 18:19

There is a north/south time split but it varies depending on where on the road

Permalink Reply by maggie on April 18, 2016 at 20:04

Thanks Andrew, it does appear that the majority of vehicles go south on Wightman between 6-7:30 and a third more go south from 7:30-10ish. as people make their way into London. There is then a reverse in the afternoon/ evening as they make their way home again.

So if they are coming from the north east of Harringay, how to get them to stay on the A10- Seven Sisters Road?

Permalink Reply by Penny A on April 18, 2016 at 15:53

Agreed, the map is a very useful visualisation of the degree of road closures across the area which coupled with the train lines and parks etc squashes East to West traffic down West Green Road and St Anne's Road into that stretch of Green Lanes going South. I guess so that they avoid the A10 and Seven Sisters Road. I've always seen the area as a bottle neck but hadn't appreciated the degree of pressure until seeing this map!! Thanks Michael!