Tag: cycling

Consultations, News

Support Wightman Road filtering – complete the council survey by this Sunday 14 May!

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‘Daddy, can we please cycle to Finsbury Park again this weekend?’

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Last summer extraordinary things happened in one part of Haringey. It was a summer of fun for kids: on roads and streets where before there was only bad air and road traffic noise, now there was the sound of kids playing out. Street football was a daily occurrence, children were using the road to cycle to school and there was even the occasional lemonade stand. It wasn’t just children who were joining in with being more active. Adults across this large area realised they didn’t really need the car for their shorter journeys – walking was nearly as fast and made them feel pretty good now the air was cleaner. Cycling to Finsbury Park to pick up the tube was quicker than the bus and nicer than cramming onto the packed trains, and getting there on a bike suddenly seemed easy now the journey could be done mostly without having to ride with speeding traffic.

Surely this was all the work of a council fully committed to the health of their residents, the sort that would make bold claims about making their borough the most liveable in London? Sadly this utopia did not last. While other boroughs nearby were permanently closing roads to through traffic to entrench a new, healthier lifestyle in their boroughs, Wightman Road and its adjoining roads were reopened as through routes for motor traffic. The weekend bike rides to the park had to stop.

‘I’m sorry. There’s no safe way to cycle there now’.

As a cycle campaign we are of course primarily interested in high quality provision for cycling that allows anyone to feel confident using a bike to get around. This has been the focus of our continuing engagement in the Green Lanes Area Transport Study. There are many ways to achieve this but many options that improve conditions for people on bikes also have much wider benefits for those in the area – even if they never cycle. For example making areas more healthy and liveable, reducing air pollution and even reducing journey times for drivers by lowering overall traffic levels and simplifying routes. If you live in or travel through Harringay or the Green Lanes area, you have until Sunday to complete the council survey on future options for Wightman Road and the surrounding area. We believe this is an issue primarily for local people to decide, so please take a look at Living Wightman’s advice on how to complete the survey. While some of the options presented can deliver a suitable cycle route (in particular we recommend you support the proposal for a northbound cycle track on Green Lanes, desperately needed in an area with no safe north/south routes), the option to ‘filter’ Wightman Road will deliver multiple health and air quality benefits as well as a safe route suitable for all-ages cycling. Many parts of this borough are already ‘filtered’ to through traffic. Other boroughs which are right next to Haringey are showing how such schemes, if well managed, can reduce traffic over a wide area. The use of Wightman Road as a conduit for through traffic has negative consequences for the areas to the north and south that also have long-standing issues with excessive through traffic.

The council’s response to the issues encountered on Wightman Road is a real test for them – are they serious about tackling pollution and unlocking the massive potential for active travel in this borough? Or, as suggested by the recent consultation on the Wood Green AAP, is the future of our borough just as polluted, congested and unhealthy as our present? This is your chance to tell the council what sort of place you want this borough to evolve into. Don’t miss the chance to have your voice heard.

 

Events

Haringey Cyclists’ AGM and monthly meeting agenda

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Haringey Cycling Campaign. AGM and monthly meeting agenda

19:15 – 21:15, 13 March 2017

First floor lounge bar, Crouch End Picturehouse, 165 Tottenham Lane, London N8 9BY

AGM

19:15 – 19:25 Officers’ reports – Coordinator, Treasurer.
19:25 – 19:35 Election of new officers: Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer
19:35 – 19:40 Nominations for other roles including Rides and Social Coordinator, Membership Secretary, Newsletter Editor
19:40 – 19:45 Vote of thanks to outgoing officers

 

Monthly Meeting

19:45 – 19:50 Welcome and introductions
19:50 – 20:00 Minutes and actions of last meeting
20:00 – 20:30 Enfield Cycling Campaign talk about Mini Holland (10-15 mins), followed by Q&A http://enfieldcc.co.uk/cycle-enfield/
20:30 – 21:00 Campaigns and events update:

  • Hornsey community streets/railway bridge
  • Haringey’s Air Quality Strategy
  • Wood Green Area Action Plan
  • White Hart Lane proposals
  • Islington Family bike ride 8th April
  

http://www.haringeycyclists.org/2017/01/30/a-small-but-important-consultation-deadline-1-feb/

http://www.haringey.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning/planning-policy/local-plan/wood-green-area-action-plan
21:00 – 21:10 AOB
Events

Join Haringey’s FREE guided ride to the Ride London FreeCycle!

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Join us on Saturday 1st August as we lead a family friendly ride in to central London to the Ride London FreeCycle!

We’re meeting at 9.30am on Ducketts Common, opposite Turnpike Lane tube station, right in the middle of Haringey. We’ll be led by Andrew, our experienced Ride Leader (in the green bib below!) and there’ll be plenty of lovely ride marshals (in pink bibs!)  to make sure the ride is enjoyable for everyone.  There’s more information on the London Cycling Campaign FreeCycle led rides page too. BuRLpd-IQAAQDloEveryone is welcome to join our ride in to central London, and return ride back again – we’d just ask that you spare 1 minute to register on the Ride London website, and select HARINGEY from the list of led rides available, so that we have a better idea of numbers. You can also register additional friends or family members once you’ve registered yourself.

We’d love to see your photos from our rides, don’t forget to tag us if you post them online @haringeycyclist or email them to haringey@lcc.org.uk !

For full details, and for information about the return ride, register here.

Consultations, News

CS1 response

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Last chance to have your say on Haringey’s Cycle Superhighway

Here’s our proposed response to Transport for London’s Cycle Superhighway route 1 (CS1) consultation which ends on Sunday.

The response below is a draft on behalf of Haringey Cycling Campaign and London Cycling Campaign  – there may be minor edits after the London Cycling Campaign IRG (Infrastructure Review Group) meeting on Thursday 26th March.

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Proposed 2-way cycle track on the western pavement of the High Road between West Green Road and Town Hall Approach, lanes separated by trees (which already exist)

 

We feel there are many problems with the present proposals.

TfL are already reconsidering the South section of the route through Haringey, following our objections to the St Ann’s Road alignment.

Hopefully there will also be a rethink on the centre section from South Tottenham station, past Seven Sisters Road to Philip Lane, which includes sections of shared space on the pavement outside a busy Seven Sisters underground station entrance and High Road bus stop – where local cyclists have recently been stopped from cycling by MPS Haringey (although the acting Inspector has since apologised by email and sent a memo to all neighbourhood team reminding officers what a shared use space sign looks like).

Please let TfL know your views! The deadline for responses is Sunday the 29th March.

CS1 consultation event in Marcus Garvey library
CS1 consultation event in Marcus Garvey library

 

The TfL consultation documents can be found at  https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/cycling/cs1

 

Our full draft response can be read here – with section by section notes: CS1 notes LCC.HCC

Our thoughts and sketch for a protected right turn at Philip Lane in to Town Hall Approach can be found here: Philip Lane Protected Right

A very well written response to the proposals by Tottenham Civic Society can be read here: Tottenham Civic Society – CS1

Here's how busy the current shared space is - even busier when students are arriving and leaving College of North East London. The large tree planter CANNOT be removed or reduced so all pedestrians and cyclists using CS1's proposed route will be funnelled to the right of this tree, where everyone is walking.
Here’s how busy the current shared space is – even busier when students are arriving and leaving College of North East London. The large tree planter CANNOT be removed or reduced so all pedestrians and cyclists using CS1’s proposed route will be funnelled to the right of this tree, where everyone is walking.
Consultations, News

Cycle Superhighway 1 – our letter to Haringey Council

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B9_HmjJCMAIhkw3UPDATE: Keep a look out for how to respond to the CS1 consultation – WE WILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

Here’s the proposed  two-way cycle track on the pavement on the High Road north of Seven Sisters.

What to know what we think of the latest plans? Here’s our letter to Haringey Council regarding the proposed alignment of Cycle Superhighway 1:

Dear Malcolm,

1st February 2015

TfL have recently issued revised drawings for CS1.  The trees which encroached on the cycle path near Seven Sisters Underground have been relocated and parking which obstructed access to the contra flow near Lordship Lane has been removed, however it seems no other comments from LCC/ HCC have been addressed and apart from these points the drawings appear identical to those issued before.   The new drawings have been reviewed by the LCC Infrastructure Review Group (IRG) and it was agreed points as below would be raised in the forthcoming TfL Design Review Group.  We will keep you informed of any comments from LCC.
CS1, Haringey
As stated previously the alignment does not make sense. If this alignment is used there are a number of issues to address:-
1) Modal filter needed at Frinton Rd
2) Frinton to St Ann’s Rd is a right turn onto a hugely busy road – must be signalised and segregated
3) In the High Rd at the rail bridge, the reduced 2.5m pavement width on the east side of the toucan is not suitable. The toucan should be moved closer to the Crowland Rd Junction.
4) The “stepping stone” markings proposed look confusing, with no clarity for pedestrian or cycle priority. Not appropriate for a cycle superhighway to go through a shared use area – it is a busy area and there will be conflict.
5) High Rd/Seven Sisters Rd needs to be a cycle segregated T Junction, with one phase, not toucans.
6) Cycle friendly signal control needed at West Green Rd junction as LCDS Fig 4.9 options 1 and 2 to allow movements, as shown in HCC drawing.
7) Proximity of Underground exits serious risk of conflict – pedestrians both sides. Peds will need a crossing point to get into the Underground and clear signage.
8) Outside College of North East London: raised tree planter is used as informal seating by students. Major risk of conflict and lack of continuity. Need to reconfigure tree pit or purchase land from College.
9) Where the roads split and CS1 goes up Town Hall Approach Rd: this is a very busy narrow section of one way road: when buses are stopped here cyclists won’t be able to pass. Need to let cyclists onto the paved area to overtake buses, to feed in to re-configured straight across toucan to join to local E/W cycle route.
10) Need to provide hatched centre line marking at TH Approach all traffic 2-way section, to ensure awareness of oncoming traffic.
11) Junction of Town Hall Approach Rd and Philip Lane is a busy junction. Philip Lane needs proper segregation – junction should be cycle segregated leading into protected tracks. Armadillos or wands may work here – stepped tracks wouldn’t be acceptable if there is a risk that they would be parked on. All of Philip Lane (pages 13, 14, 15) needs segregation.
12) Strode Rd into Sperling Rd – only about 3m wide – entirely unsuitable to share with pedestrians
13) At Lordship Lane bus stop conflicts with S bound cycle 2-stage turn. Move bus stop to other side of Broadwater Rd junction. Cyclists turning right into a major road will require control (lights).
14) Lordship Lane needs two toucans synchronised to get cyclists across. This would eradicate need for traffic islands with cycle bollards, allowing room for segregated tracks.
HCC lobbied strongly for CS1 to avoid St Ann’s Rd, but now that it is definitely following this alignment, it needs to be made as cycle friendly as possible.  Another major concern to HCC, is the design of the junctions in the area of Seven Sisters Station and the related pedestrian areas.  It seems TfL aim to thread CS1 through this area with a minimum of change to the recently completed work, which in spite of repeated reminders to the design team, took no account of the planned CS1.  This simply will not work.  There have been numerous complaints on the dangers of the present layout, for example going straight ahead from West Green Rd to Broad Lane, across other traffic flows.  If CS1 is “bolted on” to this already unsatisfactory situation, a need for many more dangerous manoeuvres will be added.  For example how will cycles access CS1 from Broad Lane?  Are they meant to filter through waiting pedestrians at the unsegregated Toucan Crossings?  This might be acceptable for a low volume cycle route, but for a superhighway and the high pedestrian traffic in this location, it isn’t.
We can find no precedent for the “stepping stone” shared use markings proposed by TfL and think they will cause confusion.  There are precedents for clearly marked cycle paths in pedestrian areas, for example in Seville where studs are used in conjunction with pedestrian priority signs (where appropriate).  The photograph below shows a cycle route at a tramline crossing (see also
http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/jan/28/seville-cycling-capital-southern-europe-bike-lanesfor a general review of cycle provision in Seville).  There is also guidance on cycle route shared use marking and junction design in the new London Cycle Design Standards.  TfL are presently building or upgrading a number of Cycle Superhighways following these Standards and it would be a real missed opportunity if the only Superhighway planned for Haringey is not compliant.  I would be grateful if you could take this up with TfL.
Regards,   Michael Poteliakhoff
Coordinator, Haringey Cycling Campaign
__________

 

The consultation on Cycle Superhighway 1 was due to launch in late 2014, but consultation is now due in February 2015, and CS1 is due for completion in April 2016.

barclays-cycle-superhighways-map1

TfL’s current proposals can be seen in TfL Board papers at https://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/board-20150204-part-1-item-07a-propose-csh-scheme.pdf  (pages 50-55).

London Cycling Campaign and Haringey Cycling Campaign have objected to the proposed alignment in Haringey, in particular the narrow and very busy section along St Ann’s Rd, but we are now concentrating on whatever alignment goes ahead being built to the best possible standard.

It looks as if it’s going to be more of a “Superquietway” than a proper CS.  Our full consultation response comments will be made when the details go public – make sure you give TfL your feedback!

 

News

Council’s 3 year plan – HAVE YOUR SAY

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LB Haringey is facing a 25% cut in funding and has issued a Corporate Plan.  There is a consultation running to 18 January 2015.

Haringey Council have included a photograph of someone on a bike on the front cover of their Draft Corporate Plan 2015-2018

We have added some additional notes in red below  – but please spare a few minutes to complete this survey –  tell Haringey Council what you think.

The financial strategy proposals include cost saving (or increased revenue) from (our list, not complete!):-
  • Adult social services cost cutting
  • Changes to services for Young People including Young Offenders
  • Reduced street cleaning
  • Remove all street recycling collection points
  • Close Park View Road Reuse and Recycling Centre (there would only be the Western Road RRC)
  • New way of delivering Highways and Street Lighting Services (less reactive maintenance)
  • Increased enforcement of moving traffic offences
  • Reductions in back office technical and administrative support
  • Planning – Changes to Policy and Practice remove non-statutory consultation
  • Reduce Work on Carbon Reduction by withdrawing support for Community Projects and Initiatives
There is also a new Corporate Plan, restating Haringey’s objectives which will continue to be implemented,
within the new budget limitations.

We propose making comments on the cost cutting and suggestions for amending the Corporate Plan as below – you may wish to use these comments in your own response

 

Reduced street cleaning-  It is vitally important that the clearing of broken glass and debris from cycle lanes
(and cycle routes generally) is not reduced, as punctures are a major disincentive to cycle use, particularly
among children and adults returning to cycling.
Less reactive maintenance to street lighting-  This should be achieved by using more reliable lighting (eg LED), not
by removing illumination from signs, which is essential for road safety.
Increased enforcement of moving traffic offences-  This is welcome and should include 20mph and ASL enforcement
Reductions in back office technical and administrative support-  Please confirm this will not lead to a reduction in
road planning and engineering staff, as this would inhibit implementation of Corporate Plan Priority 3
Planning – Changes to Policy and Practice remove non-statutory consultation-  Please confirm this will not reduce
consultation with environmental action groups such as ourselves and Living Streets

Haringey Corporate Plan 2015 – 18, Haringey Cycling Campaign’s suggested amendments  are shown in red

Priority 3:
Clean, Green and Safe
A clean and safe borough where people are proud to live
We will make Haringey one of the most cycling and pedestrian friendly boroughs in London.
We will promote and improve cycling and walking, which will include introducing a borough
wide 20mph limit, increasing the network of cycle routes and dedicated cycle lanes and providing a
smarter travel campaign to persuade people to use sustainable modes of transport.
PRIORITY 3 – A CLEAN AND SAFE BOROUGH WHERE
PEOPLE ARE PROUD TO LIVE
Who will be involved in delivering the objective?
1. The council will work with existing community networks such as Neighbourhood Watch,
Friends of Parks, traders and residents associations to increase their numbers and support
them to take action themselves
2. We will help develop groups such as Environmental, Winter and Cycle Champions and introduce a
network of Young Environmental Champions
Objectives How will we deliver the objective?
Who will be involved in delivering the objective? To move to more sustainable modes of
transport by making Haringey one of the most cycling and pedestrian friendly boroughs in London
1. We will promote and improving cycling and walking in the borough. This will include introducing
a borough-wide 20mph limit, providing more cycle racks, increasing the network of cycle routes and
dedicated cycle lanes, providing more cycle training, improved signage, and safety measures on
priority pedestrian crossings, and launching a smarter travel campaign to change behaviours and
get more people to use sustainable modes of transport.  All road schemes will be assessed for
pedestrian and cycle safety
The council will work with:
1. Cyclists, pedestrians and community groups to further understand their needs and design
solutions together
2. TfL to implement design best practice and to identify funding streams
3. Our highways contractor to implement schemes and maintain quality control
4. Schools to promote the health benefits of cycling and walking
How will we know that we have been successful?
1. More people will be cycling, walking and or
using public transport
2. There will be an improved network of cycle
routes
3. Improved satisfaction with our footways
4. Cycling and walking will be safer
How will we measure success from 2015-2018?
1. Increased network Km coverage for cycling
2. Increase in the number of people who cycle or
walk
Draft cross-cutting themes
A fair and equal borough (Objectives and delivery similar to environmental objectives)
How will we measure success from 2015-2018?
2. Increase in children travelling to school by walking or cycling and an
increase in cycle training in schools
3. A halt in the rise in childhood obesity, especially in those groups with higher rates
News

Help us fight for Space for Cycling in Haringey

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After the May 2014 elections, 24 of the 57 elected councillors (42%) pledged to support Space for Cycling in Haringey. We need your help to ensure that they keep their promises CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT SPACE FOR CYCLING IN HARINGEY

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To see whether your councillors support Space for Cycling, please click here to see the campaign map.

News

Support #space4cycling in Muswell Hill ward – Email TODAY!

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We’ve made progress with our Space for Cycling request for Muswell Hill ward… but it is now under threat.
Only 1 of the 3 elected councillors for this ward support Space for Cycling.

We need your help to send 1 very quick email of support.

The proposal and drawings from Haringey Council officers include improving lighting and adding shared use signage.
The deadline for responses is Friday 5th December.
Please email your support to  Frontline.consultation@haringey.gov.uk .
We have been told by non Space for Cycling support Cllr Gail Engert she has a stack of emails objecting to the proposals.
Making this path shared use was one of our Space for Cycling asks and it would be a a great route for local people, particularly children and anyone wanting to avoid Park Rd, particularly at night when Priory Park is closed.
We think some of the responses against the proposals are quite reasonable e.g. keeping or reusing existing bollards is a good idea, also the proposed build out at South Park Rd may be bigger (and lose more car spaces) than necessary, but support in principle is essential, otherwise it won’t happen.
Send a quick email today to Frontline.consultation@haringey.gov.uk  and copy in mark.blake@haringey.gov.uk (supported Space for Cycling) and pippa.connor@haringey.gov.uk and gail.engert@haringey.gov.uk (neither of which supported Space for Cycling in their ward).
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Consultations, News

Our view of proposed 20mph limit across the ‘whole’ of the borough

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Read more about the 20mph in Haringey consultation, and have your say via the Haringey Council website here. 

We feel that there a number of roads which are currently intended to be exempt, and will remain at 30mph.

Here’s our letter to Haringey’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Stuart McNamara.

Image thanks to Bounds Green Residents Association.

20mphsign

Dear Cllr McNamara,

HCC fully supports the planned implementation a 20mph default speed limit on all borough roads in Haringey, apart from certain main roads, however it seems to us some of the roads intended to be designated at 30mph, should have a 20mph limit, to take account of local conditions and to maximise pedestrian and cycle safety.  The roads we would ask to be reconsidered are-

 

Fortis Green Rd, which has a number of shops and restaurants and also a very narrow section, where a 20mph limit will greatly improve road safety.

 

Hornsey High Street, where there are many shops and restaurants and at least 3 schools in the vicinity.

 

West Green Road, where there are many schools, shops and restaurants and where heavy traffic congestion during the day means that the average traffic speed must be already below 20mph.  An official 20mph limit will smooth the traffic flow and improve safety.

 

The whole of the Tottenham Lane/ Church Lane one way system, which is next to a school in one direction and leads up to shops in the other and where speeding traffic can be very intimidating in a mainly residential area.

 

Cycling Champion Cllr Toni Mallett has said she considers Hornsey High Street and West Green Rd should in particular be made 20mph and I hope all the roads above can be looked at again, in consultation with local councillors.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Michael Poteliakhoff

Coordinator HCC

News

Notes from East of borough ride with Councillors & Officers

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Following our successful September ride around the central third of the borough (well, Wood Green, Turnpike Lane, Harringay) with Cllr Toni Mallet (the borough cycling champion) and Cllr Stuart Macnamara (our Cabinet Member for the Environment) we held our second ride, heading east on 17th October.

We were joined by 2 Project Engineers who work in the Sustainable Transport team at Haringey Council – the engineers and Cllr Macnamara borrowing council pool bikes – although Stuart has now officially sign up to keep his pool bike long term!

To get an idea of where we covered, here’s a rough ride route:

Chestnuts Park, North Grove, Roslyn Road, Town Hall Approach, Broad Lane, Ashley Road, Park View Road barriers, Watermead Way, Northumberland park, Park Lane, Bruce Castle Park, Risley Avenue.

We visited a number of sites we identified as Haringey Space for Cycling ward asks – including the infamous Park View Road barrier. 

Here’s the notes from the ride, which we’ve presented to all present for reference. 

 

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