feature: Keep on moving
17 March 2008
When it comes to traffic in Haringey, it's not so much a case of rush hour as rush day. We look at what the council and Transport for London are doing to prevent the borough from grinding to a standstill.
Vehicle numbers in the borough have soared in recent years. That means frequent congestion across Haringey - and frequent frustration for motorists.
With increased investment and extra funding from the Mayor of London through Transport for London (TfL), Haringey is determined to do whatever it can to keep the borough moving.
Haringey has more School Travel Plans approved than any other London borough, encouraging parents to let their children walk or cycle to school rather than taking them by car. The council has been given another £600,000 by TfL to press on with this work in 2008.
The council’s efforts to speed up buses through schemes such as pavement parking where appropriate and new parking restrictions won praise from judges at the London Transport Awards 2008.
Meanwhile, a further £1 million grant from TfL will enable the council to continue to improve the borough’s cycling routes and make the roads safer for cyclists over the coming year.
An extra £200,000 is being invested in repairing potholes from April 2008, after this proved the most popular option in a major highways consultation last summer. That’s almost twice the council’s current budget.
TfL will also be putting £1 million into a wide range of transport improvements around Tottenham High Road, and the council will continue to roll out more 20mph schemes, one way schemes and safety initiatives over the next 12 months.
Cabinet member for environment and conservation Cllr Brian Haley said:
“The main way we can improve transport in Haringey is by cutting the number of motorists on our roads. But we appreciate we need to demonstrate to people that cycling, walking and public transport are genuine alternatives to the car.
“Through our own investment and the continued support of TfL I believe we can make that case to more of our residents. That will not only cut congestion, it will also help us in our drive to tackle climate change at a local level.”
Detailed plans for the 2008 highways works programme will be agreed by the council’s cabinet on 18 March. See www.haringey.gov.uk/meetings for details.
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