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The London Borough of Haringey by virtue of its planning policies , and with the intervention of the Metropolitan Police, is effectively closing down all the facilities once provided in the public realm. e.g.
So it is a massive shame to see an attempt to improve the public realm, so quickly and unthinkingly condemned as a failure.
For one afternoon (yesterday 22nd September 2019, a Sunday) part of Middle Lane was closed for World Car Free Day. The reaction on Facebook is badly ill judged. Of course, during a half day experiment such as this there will be frustrations and a hint of chaos, but to conflate that with the standard frustration and chaos cause by the absence of parking restrictions on Topsfield Parade and to blame it on a street party shows very little in the way of foresight.
Of course, the organisers could have done a lot better with preparations and forewarning. Perhaps the imposition of temporary parking restrictions just around the corner might have eased the congestion caused by diverted traffic. But instant condemnation of the attempt to create a car free zone, designed to change behaviour, must be accompanied with a chance for the behaviour to change.
Click on the image to be taken to the Facebook thread
Tags: car free day, liveable crouch end
Many thanks for the round up Adrian.
The traffic was indeed backing up to Christ Church on Crouch End Hill and, at times, was solid along Tottenham Lane ... as it is most Sundays as shoppers and visitors take advantage of the Sunday lack of parking restrictions. However, flow was probably made worse by the access restrictions to the west side of Elder Avenue etc,
Interestingly, traffic flowed freely along Park Road.
Personally, I enjoyed the opportunity to wander down the middle of Middle Lane, despite the grey shies and rain!
But, as you suggest, we need a much bigger conversation about this, especially with businesses. We also need to have open access to the data Haringey will gather during the two week full closure of Middle Lane so we can understand what the impact is and any changes to traffic patterns so we can challenge and properly engage in the project.
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