Having posted some notes on the street redesign in the Turnpike Lane/West Green area. I went down this morning to take a look at the work. I still not sure how relevant this is to the Fox Lane area Quiet Neighbourhood sscheme, basically because the street plan is so different. However the individual elements may be of some interest. These are the subject of the attached photos which can be related to the original plan included in the earlier posting.
One thought arises is that if Fox Lane was included as one of the quiet streets as opposed to remaining as a through route, some of the elements could be incorporated. For example, raised tables and other features at cross roads could slow down traffic along Fox Lane. These and raised block work strips along Fox Lane would make it easier for pedestrians crossing Fox Lane.
The outer boundaries to the "neighbourhood" could be marked with the same sort of "neighbourhood gateways" – road surface changes and physical signs such as iron works and/or small trees. Changes to road surfaces in the north-south grid including raised tables could be used to slow down traffic (I sincerely hope that the smaller double pillows are not on the menu).
I also walked back between Turnpike Lane and Wood Green to see if any changes in play there had any lessons, not for Quieter Neighbourhoods as much as for Green Lanes in Palmers Green. It's still work in progress, but I'm not sure whether this is a case of lessons or warning! Essentially Green Lanes is being reduced to one lane in each direction, with bus stops being inset in to much widened pavements. Although this gives much more room for shoppers, it's not obvious that buses, cars or cyclists gain anything, nor is it going to be obviously easier to cross Green lanes away from traffic lights. As I said, this is work in progress and the final outcome may be different, but a continuous line of almost stationary traffic does nothing for tempers or air quality.
So having tried out the Haringey changes, and previously visited St Johns Road in Clapham (noted by LBE as possible a lesson for Church Street in Enfield Town) is there anywhere else I ought to sample? Any volunteers for a trip to Poynton?
To see all eight photographs, you may need to click on "Continue Reading".
