The regular traffic jam on Durnsford Road between 3 and 7 pm (with the possible exception of school holidays) has been a nightmare for some time. Measures that would deal with this would be so welcome!
I experienced it every Wednesday evening for a year, from early summer 2023 to summer 2024, when I left at 6.30pm for a class at 7pm at Bounds Green Bowls and Tennis Courts. In principle the 184 bus could have taken me door to door, but in practice I always walked there in less time than it took the bus (the classes stopped in the school holidays, when it might have been different). Who is going to catch a bus if a half-hour's walk gets you there faster?
This is a particular problem for buses, because they have to stick to their route - cars can try a different route. So I do think that buses need more priority than cars, and then more people might also use them.
Also, they can scoop up more people than can cars - 60 at a go!
So, how does the Council's new plan seek to deal with this - intended to provde bus lanes between 4 and 7pm. The plans they have offered are complicated (sorry, I haven't got round to adding bus lanes to the map above). Starting in the middle of OR Tambo Rec, opposite Clifton road, there is a bus lane more or less all the way to the Bounds Green traffic lights - with the exception of
- bus stops
- signalised pedestrian crossings
- a section that I don't understand between Wroxham Gardens and Woodfield Way (maybe the road is wider here - will have to check).
Where there is a bus lane, the parking on the other side of the road is to be removed. There has been no reduction in the number of disabled parking bays.
The upgrade for existing pedestrian crossings - or even new ones that weren't there before - to signalised crossings is welcome, and necessary with bus lanes - 5 in all. Perhaps this will deal with the complaints about the crossing near the Garden Centre. We just have to note whether the time offered for people to wait and then cross is adequate. Plus 3 zebra crossings where there aren't bus lanes.
Then there is another bus lane at the other end of the B106, from St. Andrew's Church/Curzon road to almost Colney Hatch Lane. This is on the left side of the road, going uphill - so not the same side as the one to Bounds Green. I do not have experience of this section of the road - perhaps somebody could clarify why this is needed?
There is a long section of road between St. Andrew's Church and the middle of OR Tambo Rec (Clifton Road) where there are no changes to bus priority nor removal of parking spaces. So the claim on the large flyer that has been circulating the area that
- '[the bus lane] will remove parking at local shops, cafe and church and destroy the local community'
is wrong - there is no bus lane anywhere near local shops or local cafes.
There are clearly questions to be answered, but I think in general it would be worth trying out this scheme - and letting the Council know which works, and which don't.
Replies
I totally disagree .Where will those displaced cars park? What impact will it have on the air quality on APR. especially for those who live on that road. When roadworks were carried out last month (21st Oct) my arthritic husband couldn't find parking near our house. Yes, we do have a drive, but his 10 year old car is too big for our small driveway. So he had to hobble home from no 98. My friend in Thrirlmere road is 96 and I often give her lifts, so your assumption that there's only one driver per car is wrong. Indeed,we have been told that the proposed bus lane will only save a few seconds on journey times.
https://haringey.gov.uk/streets-roads-travel/haringey-streets-peopl...
Here's a link to the survey (which is pretty short and straight-forward).
Where are residents on Alexandra Park who can no longer park between restricted times be allocated parking?
What will residents of all the side roads do if they return and cannot park ? Will they be fined for having to park in restricted areas?
What will carers do if they can't park to attend patients?
Alexandra Park Road is a RESIDENTIAL ROAD . Many other residential roads have been closed to through traffic . Since the introduction of LTNS and closure of routes from Colney Hatch Lane to roads off Alexandra Park Road and routes as above, congestion has become a problem . It was not so, before these measures .
If the traffic light phasing at the junction at BOUNDS GREEN was adjusted to allow more vehicles to cross at rush hour the congestion could be eased .
HOWEVER I am toldthe lights are not under the control of Haringey .
So far, I have not encountered any resident in favour of the proposed scheme . Cars raise revenue via vehicle tax, fuel duty, Ulez .
We can't simply "VAPOURISE " cars to satisfy the anti car lobby .
When the bus lane was introduced on Colney Hatch Lane, pavement parking was provided .
Similarly in Muswell Hill Rd between the roundabout and Archway .
I have not been made aware of similar measures in this proposed scheme . It seems highly UNFAIR to target residents of Alexandra Pak Rd and roads adjacent after the problem was caused by carrying out policies to reduce pollution and congestion . THAT has just been pushed on to Alexandra Park Rd.
In priciple I am in favour of BUS LANES . . but they must be appropriate and make provision for residents to park safely and without causing "PARKING RAGE " in other roads.
Your analysis, Annabel, is very glib. The residents of Alexandra Park/Albert/Durnsford Roads already have to live with unmanageable levels of congestion caused by the LTNs. and now they are losing more than 100 parking spaces either permanently or during the bus lane hours of 4-7pm.
Would you like to have to park a hundred meters from your home with a car full of children or shopping? How would an elderly or disabled visitor to your home walk that distance?
Where are the teachers and workers at Rhodes Avenue and APS going to park?
Are the residents of the side roads prepared for the displaced parked cars from the new bus lane highway?
For every bit of bus lane there will be parking lost on both sides of the street. Access to the park and activities within it for children after school and at weekends will be impeded if there is nowhere for parents to park while they drop their children off.
Just so easy and thoughtless for you to say, well let's give it a go.
Also what you don't appear to understand is that the bus lane is not going to be continuous. So the buses will have to re-join the traffic queue more than once. It is estimated that, because of this, the gain for buses will be seconds not minutes. As little as 9 seconds.