Local Traffic Calming

Seeing double?

By now you will have seen the double yellow lines adorning the junction of Westwood Park/Horniman Drive.  A year ago we reported that a Horniman Drive resident was very concerned about the parking at the intersection: pulling out of the junction at busy times was becoming more and more hazardous for her and, of course, for others.  One of the governors of Horniman School shared this view.  The Highway Code states that drivers may not stop, or park opposite, or within 10 metres of a junction, except in an authorised parking space.  However, this was often flouted.

The Council was contacted, and early the next morning the Highways Inspector called to confirm that the site had been visited and was indeed potentially hazardous.  A traffic order to prevent vehicles parking right at the junction would be sought, and this would take approximately three months.  A year later, the notices to that effect went up…  However, the yellow lines were to be painted for 10 metres in all four directions from the junction.  As this would cause inconvenience for some households, particularly at the end of Horniman Drive leading to the Gardens, the Association made representation to Lewisham Council.  We are pleased to report that agreement was reached for the length of the lines in Horniman Drive to be reduced from 10 to 5 metres.

Drivers are not permitted to park on double yellow lines at any time: the restrictions apply 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year.  These regulations have always applied – the yellow lines merely serve to highlight and reinforce the need to keep them clear so that drivers and pedestrians can use the roads more safely.  Parking illegally could mean a fine of £30, or you could even have your car towed away.  The only exception is for disabled drivers who may park for a limited period providing they are not causing an obstruction. 

Let’s hope that the restrictions will be observed, and the junction made safer for both other drivers and pedestrians.

Our thanks to Rose Agnew and Elaine Pringle for resolving this issue.

Honor Oak Road and Honor Oak Park

The traffic calming measures in Honor Oak Road and Honor Oak Park have been completed.  After years of campaigning for improvement, we were surprised – and pleased by the speed with which the Council consulted with local residents and started work after finally recognising there were serious safety issues.  The measures are designed to control traffic speeds, improving safety for all road users and the usability of the roads, especially for buses. 

P4 and P12 bus services flow better

Users of the P4 and P12 will be aware of how frequently these services get stuck as a result of road narrowing by parked vehicles.The double yellow lines seem to have been effective in freeing the flow of P4 buses in Honor Oak Road, although there are some surprising gaps in the restrictions near London Road. 

Safe crossing to Forest Hill town centre at last

For pedestrians walking into the centre of Forest Hill, the new island between Westwood Park and Manor Mount should be very helpful in crossing the road.  It’s amazing that this island has been built when for years Lewisham Council has maintained that the road is too narrow to permit it at that point!

ineffective speed bumps

Some criticisms have become apparent.  The speed bumps are more like speed pimples and seem to be ineffective on larger cars, where at 30mph they are almost un-noticeable.  There is also concern about the marking of the kerb build outs that have been placed to control parking.  Some of the black painted posts with tiny reflectors on them are too inconspicuous to act as a sensible warning of these significant hazards in the road.  Both these issues have been brought to the Council’s attention, and they have undertaken to review them.

traffic light phasing

Sadly the traffic light phasing at London Road is outside Lewisham Council’s control, and Transport for London (TfL) are unsympathetic to those who need to use side roads.  Their priority is to keep the traffic moving on the South Circular - not that they achieve that very effectively in this area! Whenever the opportunity presents itself, we will, continue to draw attention to the near continuous stream of delayed traffic in Honor Oak Road .  As proved by the long campaign for pavements, and now traffic calming, in Honor Oak Road, it may take years - but eventually a result is achieved.