No Junk Mail Stickers

A couple of weeks ago, we distributed about 4,000 'No Junk Mail' stickers to local residents, along with a flyer giving some tips on how to cut down on junk mail from various sources including Royal Mail. There is a good website which lists some of the ways you can do it here.

We have been back to see what the take up has been, and it seems that around a third of residents we gave them too are now displaying the stickers, which is a very good take up rate. In some flats (see the picture to the left) almost every resident has put them up on their post boxes.

We realise that they don't completely stop junk mail, but they do make a difference, particularly when used on conjunction with other ways of cutting out unwanted mail. (Incidentally, we also asked residents if they would prefer not to receive our literature through their doors. We are happy to report that no one asked not to receive our mailings!)

Response from TfL about St Leonard's junction

We have received the following, very disappointing response, from Transport for London following its review of the St Leonard's junction. It seems to focus on efficiency and cost, rather than on making it safer.

"We have recently completed a study looking into the layout of the St Leonards junction to see if it may be feasible to improve its efficiency. This covered road users of all modes using the junction, including general vehicles, buses and other HGVs, cyclists, and pedestrians. Our study found that there are no easy options to make physical improvements. This junction is bounded by two historic churches and many shops, as well as being on a steep hill. These factors make infrastructure changes, such as widening the footways and carriageways or providing additional lanes, very challenging and expensive, and could not be justified under our current policies.

"The study also considered management of the existing space at the junction, by looking at lane markings and traffic signal timings. The existing high traffic flows at the peak hours use most of the available junction capacity and there is regular queuing. Therefore, options to improve matters are limited and would require allocation in favour of one particular set of users which would mean that conditions are far worse for the others. For example, increasing green light times for vehicles would lead to increased waiting times for pedestrians who are crossing, and could therefore not be justified when looking at the needs of all users in the round, rather than one particular group.

"However, there is a new timing review underway which is due to finish by March 2014. I hope the review will lead to some improvements in journey times for all users but regret that the options for large scale improvements appear limited at this location."

Blocked drains on Riggindale Road (and elsewhere)

With all the rain, its not surprising that there are quite a few blocked drains around, creating a lot of surface water which is causing a hazard for pedestrians and damaging local pavements and roads.

We have been going around identifying and reporting them. This picture was one of the most major we found, on Riggindale Road near the junction with Mitcham Lane, with water covering most of the pavement and a large part of the road.

This has been reported to Lambeth Council (not Thames Water as drains in the gutters are the Council's responsibility).

Railings repaired - finally!

It's been ten months since Transport for London first gave us a commitment to repair the railings at the pedestrian crossing on Garrad's Road by Tooting Common.

They originally said they would try and do it by April. We kept chasing, and are pleased to report that TfL have sent us pictures of the repair, saying they completed it last weekend. We are now going to make sure they paint the bit they repaired - hopefully it won't take another ten months!

Here are the "before" and "after" shots they sent:

Work begins tomorrow to create new 'plaza' area at Babington Road/ Mitcham Lane by Manor Arms pub

Works to implement the proposals for changes to the area at the top of Babington Road where it meets Mitcham Lane by Streatham Green and the Manor Arms, begin tomorrow. They are scheduled to last until 31 March.

The area is the location for Streatham's Sunday market and the intention is to create a better public space for it, less dominated by traffic, more suited to host the market and other community events, and better connected to Streatham Green. Friends of Streatham Green have been involved in developing the proposals.

A shared surface area will be created for the market area between the junction with Mitcham Lane, and William Dyce Mews, using Yorkshire Paving. Through traffic will no longer be allowed at this point by the Manor Arms although a route out for large vehicles will be maintained. New trees will also be planted and seating introduced.

The consultation on the proposals took place in January and February last year. The work was supposed to begin last year, but was delayed.

Grot spot outside Byron Close (on Barrow Road)

At the request of residents, have been continuing to keep an eye on the 'grot spot' at the bottom of Byron Close, on Barrow Road.

Last year, we asked the council to clean it up. But is has got worse again.

We were chatting with residents this week about it. It now seems to have become a bit of a dumping ground for rubbish, so we have asked for it to be cleared and for more regular inspections to be made. We will also look at getting to the root of what is causing it.

[Update: A similar issue has arisen to the problem we had with Keen's Close on Mitcham Lane, and that is that Lambeth Council are now refusing to clear the area, as they say that it isn't their responsibility. We are therefore talking to L & Q Group whose responsibility the land is, to find a solution.]

Increased crossing times for Streatham High Road

Three-quarters of British people over 65 struggle to cross the road at the very places that are meant to be safe for pedestrians – our signalised crossings. It’s a problem for tens of thousands of others as well, including people with mobility issues and parents with young children.

Local residents, including members of the Streatham Mum's Network, asked if we could help to make the crossings on Streatham High Road safer for pedestrians.

We asked Transport for London to improve four crossings near Kingscourt Road, Mount Ephraim Lane, Broadlands Avenue and Drewstead Road as part of the current High Road project. We are pleased to say that they have agreed to do this as part of the works to improve the central reservation.

The crossings will be upgraded including making them more accessible for users with disabilities and making crossing times longer.

We are supporting the current campaign by Living Streets to make crossing times longer throughout the local area.