Haringey Liberal Democrats have welcomed the decision on the Alexandra Palace traffic calming consultation report presented at Haringey Council’s Executive last week.

The consultation process was to decide how best to spend the £100,000 secured by London Assembly Member Lynne Featherstone (Lib Dem) to address concerns by local residents over speeding and traffic on Dukes Avenue and the surrounding roads in N10.

The initial focus group involved more than 10 local residents’ groups from the area who, along with council officers andlocal councillors help designed three road calming options.

Earlier this year a consultation document was sent out to all residents in the area with three options presented:

Option One: Traffic calming – a series of pinch points, with give-way priorities and refuge islands along Dukes Avenue, The Avenue, Grove Avenue, Rosebery Avenue and Muswell Road to encourage a reduction in speed whilst travelling through the area.

Option Two: Zoning – road closures at strategic locations to prevent the area being used as a through route; pinch points to encourage a reduction in speed along The Avenue, Grove Avenue and Dukes Avenue.

Option Three: – opposed to both options or do nothing: it was also agreed that the wording of the questionnaire would allow residents to register their objection to both options.

The Council received over 850 valid consultation responses by the 9th July deadline, a response rate of 32.9%.

By a clear majority, local residents opted for Option One. Lib Dem traffic spokesperson and Alexandra ward councillor, Susan Oatway, has welcomed the result. She has been involved with the focus group from the beginning and is pleased that a clear decision has been reached following over two years of consultative meetings.

Now that consultation has been concluded, Cllr Oatway is keen for Haringey Council to start working on its quick implementation. She is also hoping that the busy Alexandra Park Road will be considered for interactive speed signs along with Dukes Avenue, Muswell Road and Rosebery Road, to help remind drivers of the speed limits.

Cllr Oatway (Alexandra) comments: “We welcome the decision at the end of a long and thorough consultation process and I would like to thank all the residents who have been involved.

“There is a significant majority in favour of traffic calming and the Council have taken the various comments from different roads intoconsideration. I have asked that they consider a vehicle activated speed sign for Alexandra Park Road to help increase road safety for the many children walking to and from school.

“I am hopeful that the agreed action will ensure improvements in speed reduction and road safety in this residential area.”