Agenda item

To report on the Green Lane Area Transport Study, including Wightman Road.

Mr Boddy reported that a public meeting had taken place in March 2015 regarding traffic concerns.  These were wide ranging in nature and centred on the Wightman Road area but also overlapped onto other areas.  As a result of this, a project to consider the issues was developed and an external consultant was hired.

The study undertaken by the consultant was aimed at identifying measures to:

·         Improve the urban realm;

·         Rationalise traffic volume and routes;

·         Improve road safety for all road users;

·         Maintain or enhance bus service journey times and reliability;

·         Enhance pedestrian and cycle accessibility into and within the study area; and

·         Improve quality of life and health outcomes for local residents.

The consultant was appointed in February 2016.  A steering group of stakeholders, chaired by the relevant Cabinet Member, was set up to act as a “critical friend”.  The work undertaken by the consultant looked at a range of issues and these were developed into a series of options and ideas.  The aim was to develop recommendations for the short, medium and long term.  Funding of just over £1 million over three years was provided. 

Wightman Road had been closed to traffic from March to September 2016 due to the need to undertake works to the bridge that crossed it.  There were a series of traffic measures that had been made necessary as a result of this.  The popularity of these schemes had varied.  Some residents of Wightman Road had stated that they would like to road to be closed permanently.  Whilst the road was closed, improvement works had been undertaken by the Council to help address some of the traffic and safety related issues. 

Ms Cunningham reported that although there were weight restrictions in force, these did not apply to vehicles with access rights for such things as deliveries.   Mr Boddy commented that there was widespread recognition of the impact of the closure of Wightman Road.  Many residents of Wightman Road had enjoyed the closure but the impact on residents across the borough needed to be taken into account.    The implications of particular options had been included within the plans.

In answer to a question, Mr Boddy stated that traffic levels on Wightman Road were close to those on Green Lanes.  Whilst this was undesirable, it was also experienced in other locations in the borough.  It was necessary to look carefully at the consequences of measures as they could potentially make matters worse for other residents.  There were different benefits accruing from making Wightman Road one way north or south.  The preference was for the option that had the least impact on Green Lanes.

In answer to a question, Mr Boddy reported that there had been a 7% drop in overall levels of traffic when Wightman Road had been closed.  The majority of traffic had been displaced though.  There had been some cost limitations to the number of options that could be developed but the work was nevertheless the largest piece of traffic assessment work that had been done for some time.  Consultation responses were not just limited to people from within the study area but people would still be asked where they came from as this was an important consideration. Haringey Cycling Campaign were encouraging people to respond so that those cyclists who had used Wightman Road when it had been closed but did not live in the area could feed their views in.  Should there be changes made to Wightman Road, it could be re-considered for inclusion as part of the Quietway route from Bowes Park.  The Panel commented that the current proposed route included some very steep sections in Hornsey which could be challenging for cyclists. 

In answer to a question, Mr Boddy reported that approximately £200,000 had been spent on the work so far of the funding that had been committed by the previous Cabinet Member. Although a significant amount of money had been committed to the work over the next three years, there was a need to manage expectations.  There was also an awareness that there were other areas of the borough where there were issues.  Ms Cunningham reported that there was a need to develop the infrastructure in Tottenham and there would be opportunities to address this through the regeneration process.

The Panel felt that, with current budgetary restrictions, the use of external consultants needed to be closely monitored.  It was important that the range of options were developed into achievable plans.

Mr Boddy stated that effective measures would be developed through the use of the assessment framework.  The views of the local community, the consequences of the different options and costs would all be taken into account in order to develop proposals. 

A Panel Member suggested that consideration be given to developing a new entrance into Finsbury Park on its north east side, opposite Hermitage Road N4 and that this be used to develop a new pedestrian and cycle route south.  Mr Boddy stated that the development of the Quietway was the current priority for cycling in Finsbury Park but he was nevertheless happy to raise the suggestion with Haringey Cycling Campaign to see if it could be an option.