I am an architect who lives on Honor Oak Park Hill- and have had multiple communications with Lewisham over the past few years concerning speed and general traffic issues from One Tree Hill down through the parade.

I think its a great shame our communal spaces and routes are being shaped by highway engineers conducting tick box exercises rather than developed with the residents and community in mind.

Highways unfortunately take the view that because the road is designated a 'classified road' it should be an unobstructed (as possible) super highway for as much local traffic as possible. I have no problem with through traffic, as we live in a built up area, but I feel it should go through at a suitable speed that is compatible with the aspirations of local residents.

I have suggested that the stretch of road is important to the community as it provides access to many things such as the rec, one tree hill the station, the parade, the allotments and many houses etc etc it is one of the main spines of the HOP area.

I feel it should instead be treated as a residential street because currently it feels too hostile to pedestrians & cyclists.

The issues are (and possible solutions):

uncontrolled speed & humps are ineffective, speeds are high and vehicles swerve unpredictably:
Solution being a traffic calming scenario encouraging a 20mph zone from One tree hill through to the parade. In addition to signage, shared surface raised tables, pinch points etc and extra crossing opportunities cameras should also be employed.

The stretch of road feels hostile: Solution will come from removing humps and eliminating the unnerving swerving. Reduction of speed to 20mph will also make the hill and parade a safe - calmer place to enjoy. basic things like crossing points at one tree hill entrance and one on the parade would be sensible and intensive tree planting from the station through to the parade would also change the feel of the area and drivers perception of it (i.e. currently a 'weaving through-route', but should be 'pleasant leafy residential enclave')

I think the people of honor oak park need to demand more of our council and highways department so we can start shaping the places and spaces we live in positively and proactively. first steps would probably be to overcome the road classification issues and how Lewisham's current stance can be 'amended'

This post was last modified: 11-04-2014 02:14 PM by tincan.