South Nunhead Traffic Calming

Time for a bit of an update on the proposed traffic calming and pinch points on Linden Grove and Ivydale Rd.

The proposals were very popular with some people - particularly people suffering from P12s and 343s thundering over the speed cushions outside their houses - but unpopular with others who were worried that the pinch points would cause traffic mayhem. Limesford Road residents were also worried that rat runners would be tempted to cut down their road instead.

After considering all the response the Council has decided to go ahead with the plans with a few amendments - one of the pinch points will also be a zebra crossing serving Ivydale School (thanks to Sarah who suggested this in the comments to a previous posting) and also I believe there will be a speed table put in at the end of Limesford Rd/Inverton Rd to deter drivers from speeding down Limesford. The work will start within the next couple of weeks.

I know some people will be delighted by this and others dismayed. I still feel a little unsure about the scheme, but on balance I think that the speeding on Ivydale Rd is so severe and the speed cushions so ineffectual that until average speed cameras are available and affordable we will have to give schemes like this a try. They are certainly extreme measures, but hopefully they will slow traffic considerably and perhaps also persuade many of the rat runners to stick to the main roads instead of cutting through our residential streets.

Over recent months I have repeatedly quizzed the traffic engineers about the proposals and they have provided me with the following information which may be of interest:

"The raised and narrowed sections proposed on Ivydale Road will combine the impacts of single lane 'pinch-points' (of which there is already one in operation on Ivydale; a chicane) and full width traffic humps, to offer a really substantial reduction in traffic speeds in this key residential area. We are proposing them on Ivydale Road because, although it is in a 20mph zone, the existing traffic calming is not perceived as being very effective and cars often speed through the area, using it as a 'rat-run'. Whilst being cost-effective, speed cushions, which are currently in use on Ivydale Road, have been shown by research (including local research carried out by Southwark Living Streets) to offer comparatively minor reductions in traffic speeds, whereas full width humps and 'pinch-points' are much more effective. The secondary key impact of having these raised, narrow tables is that we will be able to provide numerous pedestrian crossings which are safe, very accessible and which offer the best possible facilities for pedestrians, the mobility impaired, school children and parents with buggies.

The use of these traffic calming features was quite well supported through a consultation exercise - which sought the views of 2202 Nunhead residents; conducted between 12th January to the 6th February 2009 - returning a support of 59%. There was, nevertheless, a sizable minority which objected to or queried the proposals. They did so for a number of reasons. One was concern over traffic diverting from Ivydale and using the side roads; for this reason we have developed proposals for additional traffic calming on Limesford Road and reviewed the traffic calming on other roads. Another main reason was concern that traffic congestion would be worsened by the measures, introducing queues and conflicts where previously there was none.

Whilst it is not possible to address this concern with absolute certainties as to how traffic will react, I am confident that traffic volumes and speeds will be generally reduced in the area, which will hopefully help to mitigate any negative impact on overall car journey times or congestion. Obviously vehicles will have to wait when there is opposing traffic at the narrow sections and there may be a small increase to journey times to start with. It should be emphasised, however, that the clear intention of the scheme is to reduce traffic speeds and rat-running; and that these small delays at the pinch points are a key disincentive to through-traffic which would otherwise view Ivydale Road as a quick and fast route. There should be no additional conflicts arising, as parking is prohibited on (and immediately next to) the build-outs, which will keep the pinch-points clear of obstruction. This approach is endorsed by TfL's Bus Priority team (who represent the interests of bus services and operators) who have reviewed the scheme at several stages and have approved its implementation. We feel that all the right steps have been taken to ensure that the scheme will maintain traffic flows and capacity for local users; whilst offering the best possible reduction in traffic speeds and rat-running. On top of this Ivydale Road will benefit from numerous new safe and accessible crossings, which will improve safety for pedestrians and vulnerable road users such as children and the mobility impaired."