Yet another collision at St Leonard's Junction overnight

There was yet another traffic collision overnight at the St Leonard's Junction (the junction of Streatham High Road, Mitcham Lane and Tooting Bec Gardens).

Apparently it involved a Hyundai, which must have been going quite fast to completely take out the traffic light on Streatham High Road between the Time2Move Estate Agent and the Manna Christian Bookshop.

This is a crossing which residents have repeatedly raised is dangerous, and just north of the location of one fatality. It is also about 20 yards from the location where a bus became "beached" earlier this month.

TfL promised a safety review of this junction last year. It was due to happen in April, but we got it brought forward after several collisions over Christmas. It was also recently resurfaced, and the box junction moved. We are still waiting for the results.

There are a number of ideas that could be pursued to improve the junction significantly if TfL is prepared to think creatively.

Work has began on the next phase of Streatham High Road to remove the central reservation

The next phase of work on the High Road has begun, following the removal of the central reservation and the replacement with trees a couple of years ago in the area between Becmead Avenue and Woodbourne Avenue.  (You can see the full plans in the Streatham Master Plan ). Exploratory holes are now being dug to see whether there is enough space in the central area to plant trees, away from utilities that lie underneath.

The new works will cover the area from Woodbourne Avenue (and the Kwik Fit garage) to Streatham Hill Station.  This should be designed to match what already exists between Streatham Odeon and Kwik-fit. It is, as yet, unclear what trees will be used, although we have reassurances that there will be trees. We hope to have a clearer idea once we have discussed this with TFL at the beginning of May. We will keep you informed.

The five trees outside the Odeon, which were knocked down by a traffic collision (see Jonathan's earlier blog on this) will apparently not be replaced until towards the end of this year.

To find out more about the trees already planted and the company which carried it out, click here

Benefit changes information meetings - Wednesday 24th April

Find out how benefit changes affect you this Wednesday 24 April, 1.30-3pm & 6.30-8pm

Did you know that six major changes to the current benefits system have kicked in this month? These include:

- A benefits cap

- The “bedroom tax” limit on housing benefit

- Introduction of Universal Credit

- The replacement of Disability Living Allowance, Council Tax Benefit and Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans.

Find out how these could affect you or a member of your family at a free event on Wednesday 24 April.

The community forum Streatham Action will be running two information sessions - from 1.30-3pm and 6.30-8pm

The venue will be St Leonard’s Church, Streatham High Road, London SW16 1HS. There is step-free access from the Tooting Bec Gardens entrance to the churchyard.

Refreshments will be available.

Road audit of Fairmile Avenue

We have today written to residents of Fairmile Avenue following our road audit and follow up inspection.

The road surface is in a terrible state. In November, following a request by local residents, we conducted an initial road audit of Fairmile Avenue. We asked the council to fix a number of potholes. Whilst some were repaired, our follow up inspection last week revealed that a few had been missed, and a few more had formed. We therefore asked Lambeth to fix these urgently as well – specifically the ones outside nos 6, 10, 16, 23 and 24.

In the longer term, we believe that Fairmile Avenue needs resurfacing and we will be pushing for this to be done.

We are pleased to say that the ramp access we also asked for at the bottom of Fairmile Avenue, where it meets Conyer's Road, has also been put in.

Road audit of Gleneagle Road

We have written to residents of Gleneagle Road following the road audit we carried out earlier in the year and our recent follow-up inspection.

Residents got in in touch with us and asked if we would carry out an audit. Of particular concern were certain sections of the pavement with broken and cracked paving stones, as well as a number of potholes - particularly at the end near Conyer's Road.

We asked the council to fix a number of potholes. Whilst some were repaired, our follow up inspection last week revealed that a few had been missed, and a few more had formed. We have therefore asked Lambeth to fix these urgently – specifically the ones outside nos 63, 104, 141,145 and 165 as well as at the junction with Conyers Road where the road surface is breaking up badly.

We also asked the council to repair the pavements which are in a terrible state. So far the council is resistant but we will continue to lobby for them.

We have however managed to get new ramp access put in at the bottom of Gleneagle Road (where it meets Conyers Road) for wheelchair users, older people and anyone using a mobility scooter. This will also help anyone pushing a buggy or pram. This has been done at other junctions on Conyers Road too.

Graffiti on Estreham Road

We have asked Lambeth Council to remove the Graffiti on Estreham Road. In particular the graffiti on the East side of Estreham Road, about 100 yards north of the junction with Lewin Road, on a corner at the end of a stretch of black railings.

[Update 20th May 2013 Lambeth Council told us on 24th April that it would be "removed within the next 24/48 hours". However we did a follow up inspection today, and it is still there. We are therefore chasing the council again.]

Cycle parking in Campbell Close (Mitcham Lane) ?

We are currently working with residents in Campbell Close, off Mitcham Lane, to see if we can get some secure cycle parking put in there.

The local area has a large number of cyclists, but for those who live in blocks storage can be a bit of a nightmare.

The Council however, does have some secure cycle parking available which can be put in fairly easily and works a bit like a cycle garage. So we have been liaising between the management company, residents and the council, to see if we can get some put in.