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 pamish on
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I'm rooting for a toll gate on Ferry Lane. Sort out all those single-occupancy cars that drive past dozens of tube and train stations along their way in from Essex that then fill my lungs with poison as they pass My Back Yard.
(This presumes more capacity on the tubes and trains, and more working from home....)
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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I've just walked from the John Scott medical centre on Green Lanes to Finsbury Park via Gloucester Drive and Somerfield Road. In the 10 minutes walk I passed one moving vehicle and that was a bin lorry. As well as road closures they have diagonal parking to reduce the road width (pic attached). This strikes me as a cheap way of traffic calming.
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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And by alternating the sides, it is possible to really slow down the traffic, without the use of those strange things that straddle the road.
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Michael, perhaps you've seen ideas like this before. I'd thought I'd illustrate how:
1. The entrance to a childrens play area is not 'parked in' by planting trees into the carriageway.
2. keeping the corners clear for crossing on streets that have been slowed down with mixed diagonal and conventional parking by planting extra trees into the carriageway.
3. Using streets closed to traffic for other things.
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I really like the idea of using street features like trees, benches and cycle parking, as a way of changing how a street is used. Exhibition Road in Soth Kensington was transformed 3/4 years ago by adopting these and other ideas (like road surfaces and ending the distinction between the footpath and the road) and went from a nightmare to walk up to somewhere people actually now spend time.
http://www.urbandesignlondon.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Bette...
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Permalink Reply by Dick Harris on
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Thanks Julia for this initiative. Count me as a supporter.
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Permalink Reply by Maddy on
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I'd be interested in hearing from residents on the other side of the railway (Mountview etc.) if they are experiencing less through traffic than before. I walked to Crouch End at 9 this morning and the roads seemed very quiet and peaceful - same last week.
I also don't understand why they have allowed roadworks this week on both Westbury avenue and Downhills Park - we need a 'roadworks czar' for London who co-ordinates these things to keep traffic moving.
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Permalink Reply by Helen on
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I live more or less there. I haven't noticed much difference along Oakfield Road but there's more traffic than usual along Endymion Road and Tottenham Lane, though a noticeable improvement on the first week of the closure. Are people adapting/driving less, do you think?
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Permalink Reply by Justin Guest on
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Your point about roadwork's is interesting Maddy. Often the gridlock on GL (before and after the closure) was for no apparent reason that was immediately clear. Hugh posted a last weekend about a car crash on Seven Sisters that send traffic this way, a good example of what I am talking about... I think there are often issues elsewhere that certainly contribute to the current issues on GL, these two road works could be examples?
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Has there been any thought given to additional bus routes? I live the other side of the railway line from Wightman and there is currently no convenient bus to get from here to Turnpike Lane, or to the far end of Green Lanes and St Ann's. If there were I'd rarely use the car for local journeys. I'm not so keen on cycling - though might be more inclined to while WR is closed and walking is certainly a more feasible option currently.
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