According to Steve Reed OBE, measures such as these, introduced by Croydon Council and funded by TfL next to Selhurst Park stadium, are ‘roadblocks’
Our transport correspondent, JEREMY CLACKSON, on renewed calls for consultation over traffic calming measures introduced by TfL and the local council that Steve Reed has called ‘roadblocks’
Steve Reed OBE has entered the row over Upper Norwood’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme.
Steve Reed OBE: has backed opposition to council’s road scheme
Perhaps predictably, the Labour MP for Croydon North has managed to side with the authors of a dodgy petition which has attracted “support” from as far and wide as Chislehurst and Newton Abbot, and against the Labour-controlled local council and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
The measures were introduced just over a week ago without any formal consultation period, and implemented under coronavirus emergency powers while paid for with cash from the Mayor of London, as Transport for London seeks to use the reduced traffic levels of this post-lockdown period to help affect real change to the city’s congested and polluted streets and actively discourage non-essential use of private cars.
With a powerful and active car lobby, previous schemes in the borough have been ditched before they have even completed their trial period. Because of the extraordinary circumstances of this year, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have been introduced without the usual consultation period, but with the stated intention to listen to feedback and make adjustments to road closures and similar measures as the scheme evolves.
In Upper Norwood, the traffic calming measures have divided opinion
In Upper Norwood, measures have been introduced to stop three residential streets between Church Road and Auckland Road – Sylvan Hill, Stambourne Way and Fox Hill – being used as rat runs by impatient car drivers.
Reed recently moved home to actually live in his constituency for the first time in the eight years he has held the parliamentary seat.
He wrote to concerned constituents at the end of last week calling for an after-the-fact consultation, but yesterday he also issued a brief statement in which he used the loaded term “roadblocks” to describe the measures.
Reed said, “Traffic calming is a sensible objective but the council should have fully consulted residents across the area before implementing the scheme.
“Many of the roadblocks were put in piecemeal and are causing inconvenience to many residents and businesses.
“I have spoken to the council to raise local people’s concerns and suggested they urgently fund a local representative community organisation to engage with residents across the entire affected area to come up with an alternative that has public support.”
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There are always people who shout the loudest about the freedom to drive everywhere as fast as one pleases but we now know more than ever that we are a community and the individual freedom to do as you please is paid for by curtailing the freedom of others – in this case the kids who can’t cycle or cross the road safely or make independent journeys, by the elderly who can’t drive anymore and are now stuck at home etc.. At the moment the kids have to be locked up at home so the cars can go out and play, lets make it the other way round?
The surprising thing these measures is that opinion in Upper Norwood seems evenly divided, with lots of locals not even being aware of the schemes introduction. Many who object to it feel the need to qualify their objections by saying they support measures to improve air quality, reduce traffic etc.,etc…..’but’.
The ‘but’ which has caused the problems is the ham fisted introduction of the scheme in an area being strangled by the unresolved issue of the single lane operation (due to scaffolding supporting a damaged building) at the end of Church road. Why this is taking so long to resolve is a mystery and Croydon or TFL need to sort this out. Until they do, no one can judge whether the scheme is a success or a failure.
Why are you letting your kids play on the road in the first place . Dont you think that the develpment of all the green spaces like Auckland rise where there was areas for the kids on the estate to play has more of an impact
I live on Canham Road which was already worsened when Ladbrook Road was made one-way. The council were able to offer no detail on what studies had been carried out on the inevitable knock-on effect. Traffic now exceeds pre lockdown levels and that’s without anything like a full return to work, kids back at school or Crystal Palace crowds swarming around trying to park. I’m not demanding Canham be closed but nor should others.
The small minority of morons who treat the roads like a race track need to be identified and licences removed. The majority should not suffer for their stupidity. Someone who wants to take the path of least resistance isn’t a heinous criminal, or “rat-runner” and pollutes less as a result. Sure, the roads should be used in a sensible manner but all roads form the network and are not the exclusive preserve of the residents.
I fully support the greater use of bicycles and public transport but not by making driving an even more miserable experience that they are the default.
There are positive ways to obtain a desirable outcome. A stick is wielded when a carrot would work so much better.