Tuesday 25 April 2017

Have your say on Estreham Rd closure trial

Cllr Scott Ainslie helping to inform motorists
The closure of Estreham Road to northbound traffic as part of the Quietway 5 cycling route is coming to the end of its six-month trial periods.

Lambeth Council and Sustrans want to hear your views on the scheme.

Click here to have your say.


By reducing the amount of motor traffic using Estreham Road, the intention has been to create a better street environment which prioritises people over vehicles, making it more pleasant for residents and visitors to walk and cycle through the area.

Prior to the trial, Estreham Road was used by 3000 vehicles each day - less than a third of them local residents. A high proportion of through traffic was avoiding the main highway network, particularly the junction of Greyhound Lane and Streatham High Road.

Lambeth Council has been monitoring the impact of the changes by collecting speed and volume counts before the trial, three and six months in, as well as monitoring changes in the air quality in the area before and during the trial.

Traffic surveys indicate that over the last 6 months, the number of vehicles travelling north on Estreham Road has dropped from over 1600 vehicles a day to under 400 a day, and that the number of vehicles travelling eastbound on Lewin Road has dropped by nearly 300 a day.

Conversely, the surveys show that the number of vehicles using Greyhound Lane has increased, and that the number of vehicles using Pathfield Road has increased by approximately 200 vehicles a day.

Pathfield  Road residents have found the increase in traffic particularly problematic in what is a narrow road, with high levels of street parking near the station.

Air quality monitoring shows that prior to the trial, Natal Road, Estreham Road and Barrow Road experienced Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels of between 63 and 66 micrograms per cubic metre, a level which would fail mean annual EU and UK air quality objectives. A month later, levels on these roads had decreased to between 53 and 63 micrograms per cubic metre, and five months later, levels on these roads had halved to between 31 and 35 micrograms per cubic metre, figures which would pass mean annual EU and UK air quality objectives.

Prior to the trial, Greyhound Lane experienced Nitrogen Dioxide levels of 97 micrograms per cubic meter, that have since decreased to 73 micrograms per cubic metre – both figures indicate that the road fails current targets, despite a small decrease in NO2 during the most recent monitoring survey.

Click here to take part in the Estreham Road closure trial survey.

To request a paper copy of the survey please phone 07494 503591 and leave your name and address.

Once the council has collected the results of this survey a report will be prepared for the Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport. The council will then take the decision as to whether to make the scheme permanent (by introducing a permanent traffic order) or to remove the one-way closure.

We are assured the decision will be based on a balanced assessment of the monitoring data collected, feedback received from the public during the trial period and the results of this survey. Residents’ and other stakeholders’ views will be a fundamental part of this assessment process.

Lambeth Council says it is aware the closure may have had an impact on traffic volumes and parking in adjacent roads and will look very carefully at these changes,. It will also consider whether any separate measures could be implemented alongside the one-way closure to help address these concerns.

1 comment:

  1. Regarding the survey closing tonight (18th may 2017).
    It is meaningless and irrational to ask  for a response of  "public transport" on Estreham Road. Literally, there is none. I think this question is attempting to skew the remaining answers which are all (but two) multiple choice and leaning towards a favourable outlook to the recent trial. This is an attempt to game the result and is appalling! In effect a way of immediately deflecting the true issue. Which is, Estreham Road, mostly one side of railway, is actually, ideal for sucking up excess motor traffic. Compared to Pathfield, Barrow and the other streets off it.

    Pathfield Road is now a rat run,  partially thanks to Lambeth Council workers directing traffic to use it on the first day of Estreham Road's closure. Lambeth is wholly responsible for this and should take real action to stop  the irrational effects of the trial before they are permanent.
    The TFL letter noted that 200 extra vehicles per day have been pushed onto Pathfield Road, Why was no record of air quality taken, before or during the trial, Even though it is less than a 100 metres from Greyhound Lane?
    Since the trial, the air is noticeably dirtier and our residence is far noisier at all times of day and night.
    Cars, mini cabs and commercial non local vehicles now use Pathfield Road to avoid queues at Greyhound Lane lights during peak hour. Therefore creating a jam by  idling up to eight cars long outside the nursery and residential homes as they wait to exit onto Greyhound Lane. During the day and all night vehicles choose Pathfield Road to speed through as a perceived shortcut or to avoid traffic lights. The habits have become embedded now and the traffic has increased rather than tailing off as quietways/TFL "predicted". It is now causing sustained harm to a small road with high pedestrian usage.
    Pathfield Road is narrow and wholly residential other than a small nursery adjoining Greyhound Lane. It is now being used as an alternative to a B Road bringing commensurate high pollution, noise and road damage. Lambeth council should act on this rather than using any failure of response to a TFL consultation as an excuse to avoid its responsibilities.

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