At recent Area Forums members of the public have not received clear answers from Enfield Council representatives to questions about the future of the Palmers Green Triangle and possible environmental improvements in the surrounding streets. In an attempt to clarify the situation, the chairs of two local residents’ groups recently asked for a meeting with Council officers to find out what was happening and to ask about future consultation. A record of the meeting is now available online - see the Linked Documents section at the end of this report.
Background to the meeting
Discussions about possible environmental improvements date back to 2010. Local campaigners suggested to the Council that the need to decide whether or not to replace the iconic horse chestnut tree (removed earlier that year because it was in a diseased state) provided an opportunity to rethink the entire intersection and surrounding streets. A public consultation exercise was held, in which residents gave their views on what they liked and disliked about Palmers Green and how it could be improved. The responses, totalling more than 100, are now available to read online - see Linked Documents below.
Following this, the Council engaged a firm of consultants to develop some options. Two of the documents that they produced are available on this website - see Linked Documents below. Their recommended option for the Triangle would remove the traffic island completely and create a new public space outside Starbucks (see the illustration).
Since the consultants reported in late 2012 the improvement scheme has been put on hold pending availability of funding. The aim of the recent meeting was to find out what the Council intend to do should money become available and to obtain assurances that there would be a new round of consultation involving all interested parties. The Council confirmed that they had no plans for immediate action and that they would consult before making changes - initially with local interest groups, later with the general public.
Not just about traffic
The survey responses make fascinating reading. While opinions on some issues are predictably diverse, there is widespread agreement about the scruffiness of the shopping parades and dissatisfaction about the types of shops which nowadays predominate. The scheme recommended by the consultants is focussed primarily on traffic issues and pedestrian safety. It does include proposals for improving the appearance of pavements, but is silent with regard to the buildings which determine the appearance of the streets.
The restart of the consultation process provides an opportunity to remind the Council about these non-traffic related aspects, as well as to give your opinion about the proposal to remove the Triangle, which was not widely publicised at the time.
If you are keen for your views to be taken into account, please note the final paragraph of the report (Immediate next steps). One way to air your views is to contribute to our forum discussions. We have set up a special forum category for you to post your views to - if you're not already a member, you'll need to register before you can use it.
Linked documents
Record of meeting with Enfield Council, August 2013
Responses to survey of public opinion of Palmers Green
Reports issued by consultants into environmental improvements to Palmers Green Town Centre
1. Report on design concepts workshop held in July 2012
2. Final report to Enfield Council, August 2012 (executive summary only)
