Pavements in Crescent, Palace Gates Road, Alexandra Avenue etc. have been practically impassable due to parked cars, SUVs overhanging from private bays, refuse and litter bins placed on footpaths for collection etc..
Fire engines and ambulances cannot access the narrow streets such as Crescent & Victoria Road safely due to parked cars on both sides.
Here is an example of emergency fire services blocked by parked cars:
Bikes/trikes cannot pass each other safely in these streets - they need a door-width of space from cars.
But cargo or disability adapted bikes have not got sufficient space.
This recent BBC report shows why cars must be replaced urgently with wider footpaths and bikes, because the sheer volume can no longer be accommodated:
Haringey Council has not acted positively to anticipate & accommodate the needs of disabled pedestrians/cyclists/wheelchair users - including those with hidden disabilities such as autism who cannot tolerate loud car traffic noises, those with asthma from air pollution etc.
Haringey Council is obliged by law (section 20 and 149 of the Equality Act 2010) to make 'reasonable adjustments' for 'protected' road users.
But it has done the opposite, by restricting pavement & street space for active disabled travellers & creating discomfort, personal injuries, polluted air and noise.
It has permitted car parking on pavements and/or on both sides of the streets.
It has also permitted daily temporary placement of refuse on pavements, violating health & safety laws.
It has ignored the clear & obvious need for wider pavements for wheelchair users so that they can safely pass each other.
It has not widened the pavements in streets like Alexandra Avenue around mature street trees where people are forced to walk in the street as a result.
It has re-painted pavement parking lines recently in Crescent Road so as to reinforce the expectation of car owners that they are entitled to park there.
This situation that Haringey Council has created in our streets is actively discriminating against 'protected groups' who walk and cycle or use wheelchairs in our streets.
Action needs to be taken now to stop the violations. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Replies
I so agree about the discrimination of disabled residents. There is no active local disability campaign. But that does not mean that we residents can not campaign for the rights for our disabled neighbours. Here are two issues we can start with:
(i) dropped kerbs - is there a need for a dropped kerb near you that would allow wheelchair users to move unimpeded? - post its location here please. E.g. Crescent Road intersections with all side roads (Crescent Rd in N22 is the site of a shopping parade).
(ii) Alexandra library ramp - it is too narrow for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and modern pushcahirs. Voice your support for a new ramp (even if temporary) here and state any help you are prepared to give. E.g. I am prepared to write a petition and post it on the Council petition site. I am prepared to canvass for signatures for the petition.
Three ish ? years ago Haringey had no sensory impairment officer in place. When the RNIB got wind of this outrageous fact they worked hard to put it right. Haringey hired the excellent Mr Kono who did his best in a difficult situation. Many Haringey residents received long overdue sensory impairment care need assessments. Unfortunately the post was vacant once again after c six months, and after another gap (of months) a new officer was hired. So, Indijana while there is some active local disability action going on, it's certainly no campaign -- which may be the way forward.
Thanks for that Jackie. I will pass this on to a neighbour of ours who has campaigned for sensory aids at crossings and for more passable pavements.
Very good 👍🏽
Accessibility is a personal interest of mine so pls pass on my thanks for their good work.The second photo depicts the long thorny hedge which runs on north (and part west) side to small green space on Palace Gates Road.
This hedge, while regularly trimmed by a lovely man from the council, remains a significant health & safety hazard to anyone using that pavement, the side pathway leading to Alexandra Park Road, and also little park itself.
This hedge grows quickly, with thorns particularly long and abundant throughout. Post trimming, cuttings are placed in a pile (without containment) to await specialist collection, which comes days later.
I personally know of a lady wheelchair user who suffered an injury to her eye from these thorns! Also a small dog had one go through his paw.
Add cars parked on the pavement and well, need I go on?
PGRA cut the hedge in the past in between the council pruning sessions. It could be a community project.
While wrangling volunteers willing to don protective gear to keep our local park tidy is highly commendable -- (and much appreciated), I feel the hedge of thorns itself needs replacing owing to its utter inappropriateness for this popular public-use space. Sadly I don't except support from Haringey will be forthcoming until or unless they realise the very real hazard it poses. With thorns to one side and parked cars to the other, it makes for a risky route to Ally Park or for catching the 184!
The problem there is that the hedge comes under parks department and they are strapped for cash. They have their teams out but the hedge grows too fast.
The more we can do on voluntary basis, in partnership with the parks dept, the more they can do for us. I am concerned that they maintain the public parks to a high standard as those are the places we all use.
I agree that the prickly hedge is unsuitable. There is probably little need for a hedge there anyway. It could be replaced by a couple of trees.
A hedge -- even a low one -- will help with traffic and noise transferring to the surrounding homes. The thorn hedge (not merely "prickly", sorry) is a safety hazard. As I've already mentioned, a wheelchair user had one go in her eye.
All our neighbourhood green spaces are important and this one in particular, because it’s large enough to sit in.
I accept you have limited interest in this space.
NB Not everyone can manage the steep hills up to Ally Park especially at entrance no.1, not everyone has a private garden alternative, and everyone can use this space.
Hear! Hear!