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 StephenBln on
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You can see the street and market area before the changes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02gn62W25BE
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Permalink Reply by Stay Sure on
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Thanks Stephen, it's really interesting and inspiring to see what others have done.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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You know, your post makes me wonder if I've been too parochial in thinking what can be done. Instead of trying to find ways to discourage traffic maybe I should be thinking about how to encourage people. The idea of areas kids can meet parents and play before and after school is fascinating. And there are two ideal candidates right on Wightman Road at the head of the roads with primary schools.
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Permalink Reply by Frederick Guy on
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Aren't discouraging traffic and encouraging people just two sides of the same coin - rat runs drive out kids?
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Permalink Reply by Penny A on
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I wonder what local school children, parents and families would like? I remember a holiday somewhere in south west France (a long time ago) where there were street fixed concrete tables with games designed and permanently fixed into the surfaces like Snakes and Ladders, Draughts etc. Games you can play with pebbles. They were hugely popular with families in the late afternoon, early evening and really embedded community into the street.
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Beautiful.
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Permalink Reply by Jayvee on
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I don't think that the GL traders should have as much of a say in traffic issues as they do. Look at comparable high streets close by in London - Dalston, Stoke Newington Church Street you can't park there and they function fine.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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The traders can be their own worst enemy. This prat was making a delivery into Yasha from the main road. The delivery bay on Pemberton was empty by the way, he was just being lazy and did not want to drive around.
Because there was parking in the bus lane on the other side, the traffic southbound was up close to the median, so when 2 busses tried to get past the van they could not. So, a whole cycle of green lights was missed and some 15-20 vehicles did not move out of the affected area and just added to the congestion. It was only when someone southbound moved over the busses got past (as I took this image).
The traders have to be smart about their impact on what is going on too!
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It's not clear to me whether through traffic has been removed from the place in the photos, I assume not due to the presence of what looks like separated protected space for cycling? (separation should not be necessary on streets with low volumes of slow moving cars). It's been remarkable to see children feeling safe enough to play out and cycle to school on Wightman Rd since its closure to through traffic, it's clear to me that through traffic removal is the key intervention for liveable neighbourhoods. Reduced road widths, planters, fancy bins and pocket parks etc. are all nice but are secondary to tackling the key issue of traffic volume (remembering that traffic monitoring on Wightman this January showed that ~5 people a day are driving along there in excess of 60mph, undeterred by the lack of width).
The problem we have in London/UK is that, when councils are presented with examples such as this they often choose to do all the easy, aesthetic things (= 'placefaking') but back away from making the really difficult decisions that can address motor traffic movement. Don't lose sight of what are the really effective interventions!
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What Grant said.
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Grant .. through traffic hasn't been banned.. It's still possible to drive from one end to the other and out, but due to the snaky layout of the roadway and the reduction of the speed limit from 50km/h (31.7mph) to 20km/h (12.4mph) it isn't any longer viable as a rat-run diversionary route. It's faster to remain on the main roads.
I don't think it's a war against the car, but the car shouldn't always have priority. I understand your cynicism, but it takes a while to change attitudes, but it can be done.
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