In response to an article written in the Hackney Gazette recently, here is an open letter from our chair, Jim Westwood, on behalf of the LARA Commitee and its residents:
Just a reminder about the Walkabout this coming Tuesday as part of the on going consultation for the 20mph zone on our streets. All welcome. Please see previous post.
Dear Sir/Madam
I was very interested to read your article about the Stoke Newington gyratory system. While the consultation is welcome, many residents who live within the gyratory system have been discussing this issue for some time. Leswin Area Residents Association (LARA) recently held a well attended meeting on the issues faced by residents living within the one-way system.
Your readers, and others, may be interested to note that the LARA members do not, in the first instance, see the retaining or abolition of the gyratory system as their main priority. What they do see as their main priority is taming the roads around the gyratory to make them safer and more pedestrian/cyclist friendly and improving the environment and safety of the gyratory’s internal streets. For example, more safe crossing points, traffic calming measures on the gyratory, stopping the rat running that goes on through our streets and creating a 20mph zone.
In your article, Trevor Parsons of LCC implies that reverting back to two-way traffic will cure if not all then most of the ills of the one-way system. Many of the LARA residents are not so sure. They fear that whichever traffic system we end up with, the problems our children, elderly and disabled residents face in crossing the High road and other roads will not disappear.
Stoke Newington High Road has been revitalised as a shopping centre over recent years. With the introduction of supermarkets such as Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s alongside the more established shops such as General Woodwork, their is more reason and temptation to cross the road other than at the current few and far between safe crossing points. Around the gyratory system the traffic must be slowed down by introducing traffic calming measures. We also need a lot more places where residents can cross the road in safety.
The issue of whether we stay with or reverse the gyratory system is a complex and costly one that could drag on for a long time. In the meantime, we still have cars racing at high speed along Rectory Road, Evering Road and Stoke Newington High Road as there are no deterrents in place to stop them. ‘Taming’ the gyratory system and improving the local environment within it could be achieved quickly and for a lot less money.
Sunday 24 October 2010
Thursday 21 October 2010
Traffic Concerns – Upcoming Consultations
There are two separate consultations happening at the moment, concerning our area:
1. Stoke Newington Gyratory Consultation October 4th 2010 until January 10, 2011: LB Hackney is currently carrying out their own appraisal of the 2009 TfL study on the Stoke Newington Gyratory; as part of this Hackney are asking residents for their views. They have published a residents’ questionnaire, which can also be completed online at www.hackney.gov.uk/sn-gyratory. it would be great to see as many people as possible, particularly LARA residents, to put their views forward!
2. Brooke Area 20mph zone: the consultation for the 20mph zone on our streets will start in January 2011 and will be implemented from April 2011; we have arranged a ‘walkabout’ with Maryann Allen, Road safety Team Leader at LB Hackney, on October 26th at 5.00pm – meeting point at 1 Darville Road (corner Darville / Evering Rd). The purpose of the walkabout is to raise those issues which we have identified following discussions with other residents (see list published by LARA), ie to make our points. We’ll also have the opportunity to hear more about Hackney’s plans for the 20mph zone in advance of the consultation. Please do join us if traffic in LARA is your concern - All welcome!
Monday 11 October 2010
Stoke Newington Gyratory Consultation
Do we need a one way traffic system in Stoke Newington? – Have your say
Hackney Council is currently consulting residents and businesses in Stoke Newington to identify traffic and road safety issues in the area and to understand how the gyratory affects you as a resident, visitor or business owner.
How to have your say
Complete our online survey available on www.hackney.gov.uk/sn-gyratory or fill in a hard copy version set to be distributed with the 18 October edition of Hackney Today.
There will be a public exhibition in Stoke Newington Library between 18 October 2010 and 10 January 2011.
Drop in sessions:
Thursday 14 October 2010
6pm – 8pm
Stoke Newington Neighbourhood Forum
Stoke Newington Town Hall, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0JR
Tuesday 19 October 2010
11am – 2pm
Stoke Newington Library
184 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0JS
Friday 12 November 2010
5pm – 8pm
Morrison’s Supermarket
47/49 Stamford Hill N16 5SR
Saturday 4 December 2010
10am – 2.30pm
Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market
William Patten School, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0NX
Deadline for responses: Monday 10 January 2011
More information
For more information about this consultation, please contact the Traffic and Transportation team on 020 8356 4891 or email: consultation@hackney.gov.uk
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