Forum topic: "Quieter Neighbourhoods" consultation to start soon

Our long term goal is to create this Dutch-style network of residential cells across Enfield [...]

We will [...] work with five to six residential cells per year, throughout the duration of the mini-Holland project to treat residential areas, particularly those where speeding traffic and rat running is a problem.

In the Netherlands, main cycle routes through residential areas are designated as ‘fietsstraat’, or bicycle streets. On these streets automobiles are ‘guests’ and motorists must yield to cyclists. Again, consistent signage and road markings signal the type of road and appropriate behaviour to motorists (as shown in the photos below).

The effect of the approach outlined above is to create a grid network of primary and secondary roads for through traffic with appropriate facilities for cyclists, and within the 'grid' residential cells comprised of tertiary roads are created (as shown on our network map, we have identified 37 residential cells).

The Dutch approach to these cells is as shared spaces where speeds and through traffic are reduced to ensure cycle safety. The outer edges of these cells have consistent signage and design features, such as entry treatments that signal to motorists to lower their speeds (as shown in the photo). In the Netherlands, these cells provide a safe network for cyclists, including children cycling to school or to visit friends.

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Enfield Council is working with Sustrans on a DIY Streets project in Edmonton Green. This project is using a community-led design approach to improve the streetscape for children, pedestrians and cyclists. Through a series of on street ‘pop-up’ events the local community are invited to discuss the problems they face in their area. Residents are also contacted through schools, residents associations, community events and leaflets. Once this background data has been collected on an area, residents are invited to attend workshops and to discuss potential solutions for the problems. Typical problems include rat running, speeding traffic, poor pedestrian and cycling environments and busy roads.
 
An urban designer then uses the information gathered at these workshops to draw up options to improve the area. These options are then consulted on and the chosen scheme is piloted on street using, for example, sandbags and straw bales. If the pilot is successful, the scheme progresses to the engineering stage. If not, tweaks are made until a solution is agreed upon.

As detailed in section 3, we have identified approximately 37 residential ‘cells’ in Enfield. Our goal is to remove through traffic from these residential streets, so that only residents access these areas. This will provide a whole network of calm and inviting streets for pedestrians and cyclists, where traffic volumes and speeds are low and segregated facilities are not required. We will treat each ‘cell’ individually, using the community-led design approach detailed above ensuring that residents, schools, local traders and community groups are encouraged to participate in the designs of the schemes. This strand of the strategy will be delivered by the Mini-Holland Community Engagement officer and Urban Designer, with training support from Sustrans. The results of each scheme will be monitored using both qualitative and quantitative data, as set out in our monitoring proposal.
 
The results of the evaluations will be communicated with residents in new treatment areas, so that they can see the impact these measures have had on quality of life and other indicators. It is hoped that this approach will help foster support from the local community for proposed changes to the streetscape.