HOME ZONE CONSULTATION

 

'The Thoughts of Chairman Law'

 

Dear Neighbours,

That we are being asked to make a decision about the Home Zone on the basis of three sheets of A3 after such a long drawn out process is a great sadness to me. But lets make it as good as it can be. At the open meeting on 13 February we were being asked to sign up to a proposal that did little to address the FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS of rat running and speeding which the Home Zone was set up to solve. It was admitted that the design presumed that the roads were going to be closed. We objected. They agreed to offer some options. I offer these thoughts on the 3 options for what they are worth.

OPTION 1 is the scheme as presented at the open meeting -ie it does not solve the problems so I think can be discounted.

OPTION 2 is basically a hybrid of 1 and 3. I think 3 improves on it.

OPTION 3 seems to go further to meet more of our needs. There are good points but still areas for improvement.

 

Comments on OPTION 3

Good points (as I perceive them):

1. Makes the most obvious rat run between Brixton Hill and Christchurch Rd less viable (although still possible).

2. Retains good access to and from the Neighbourhood

3. Retains the sharp corner at Holmewood Rd/Gardens Junction 4. Creates at least 2 new 'people spaces'

5. Improves the junction at Maplestead Rd Holmewood Gardens

6. Introduces 4 new speed limiting pinch points -2 way traffic is used to calm the traffic.

Negatives (as I perceive them)

1. Does not completely eliminate any rat-runs.

2. Rat-run to Roupel Park Estate still in place.

3. Some pedestrian desire lines not taken into account -especially from the Gardens to Holmewood Road.

4. No pinch point at this important crossing point.

5. Access to off street parking for the corner house on Holmewood Rd ignored.

6. No reduction in casual parking for video store etc.

7. Probably little or no effect on the prostitution problem

8. Speed at the junction of Cotherstone Rd and Holmewood Gardens is likely to be increased as there is no junction to be negotiated and no traffic calming in this phase. This will make access to the Gardens via the nearby gate more hazardous.

 

It is also my perception that we may lose as many as 60 parking spaces so that the scheme may be dependent on a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to function properly

There are no precise details of materials to be used ( and where original material is to be retained), new street lighting, signage at the entrance points, speed restrictions. We need to see evidence of all this. What proposals are there to involve the community in the details and carrying out of planting?

There should definitely be a pinch-point to single file traffic at the dangerous crossing point from the Gardens to Holmewood Rd.

I think it might be possible to reduce the shared surface stretching down Holmewood Rd and Holmewood Gardens and to raise the level at the junction at Cotherstone Rd and Holmewood Gardens thereby introducing traffic calming at that point and facilitating the existing entrance to the Garden

 

I would encourage you to vote for Option 3 and to ask for a CPZ but to make these and any other points that occur to you as fully as possible on the form. (We believe that lighting the park would only attract more people at night. )

 

Don't forget that the deadline for returning your completed feedback form is 29th March.

Regards Duncan Law. 020 8678 6617