TRAFFIC & ROAD SAFETY

The issue of traffic safety proved to be the main concern of ARA members at
the AGM held last April.  Our Traffic Survey Report was praised by
Councillors and Officers but we have yet to see any moves to tackle the
problems caused by speeding traffic on our roads.  The recent installation of
traffic lights at the junction of Colney Hatch Lane with Pages Lane and
Alexandra Park Road has caused an increase in traffic on our roads.  
Unaccountably perhaps, the subsequent closure of Grosvenor Road appears to
have made the situation worse.  The law of rat running seems to apply, ie the
longer the queue, the greater the inclination to avoid it.  Even when traffic
has adjusted to the changes, we anticipate a long term  increase in traffic
through this area.  We will continue to press for action to reduce road
danger.


TRAFFIC SURVEY

The Alexandra Residents Association has been campaigning for safer roads for
many years.  We are extremely concerned about the speed and volume of traffic
using residential roads in our area and the danger this presents particularly
to children and elderly residents.

The ARA covers an otherwise quiet and almost entirely residential area north
of Alexandra Palace and east of Muswell Hill Broadway, between Dukes Avenue
and Alexandra Park Road.  We have waited for years for Haringey Council to
carry out a traffic study of the area.  Last year we decided to do our own
survey  to get some measure of the problem.

In April 1999 over 20 local residents, with professional help and advice,
carried out a survey of the morning and evening rush hour traffic last year.  
Our report of this survey is attached.  We found that at least one third and
almost certainly more of the rush hour traffic is of vehicles using our area
as a short cut, ie rat running.

The volume of traffic counted on some of the roads, notably Dukes Avenue and
Grove Avenue/The Avenue is clearly excessive for such residential roads.  For
example we counted nearly 600 cars per hour leaving Dukes Avenue in the
morning rush hour at the Muswell Hill roundabout.

This level of traffic, together with frequent instances of speeding
(observed, not measured)
is particularly dangerous for the large number of elderly and child
pedestrians in the area.  Air and noise pollution caused by the vehicles are
added burdens.

WE WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS ROAD DANGER IN OUR AREA.

SOLUTIONS:  We have devised some possible schemes for cutting down the rat
running and slowing down the traffic.  These are shown in map form in the
report.  They range from speed cushions to road closures.  Most of those
involved in the survey favoured road closures.

We recognise that no definitive scheme can be drawn up without a more
comprehensive study of the area.  We have sent our Survey Report to Haringey
Council urging them to take action to address the problems we have identified.

Our report has also been sent to Barbara Roche MP.  It is Government policy
to reduce the use of cars in London and to provide safer roads and
neighbourhoods, but they should recognise that resources are needed to meet
these aims.