At last night’s full council meeting, Haringey Lib Dems slammed Haringey Council for dragging its feet following a decision taken in July to amend the flat top humps in Rosebery Road, Dukes Avenue and Grove Avenue, N10.

The decision to install humps was illegal because Haringey Council had failed to undertake consultation in accordance with section 90C of the Highways Act 1980. Specifically, the proposal had not been advertised in the local press or on the highway.

Cllr Hoban comments:

“It is clear that this whole process was botched from start to finish. Haringey ran a comprehensive formal consultation process in 2004 that did not include the installation of humps as an option. Despite this, on the basis of a single petition from a single road asking for humps, they went ahead and installed humps illegally almost overnight without consultation.”

Alexandra ward councillors have received many complaints from concerned local residents over the unusually steep incline of the humps, which are particularly hazardous for cyclists. In light of these public concerns, Cllr Hoban expressed anger at Haringey Council’s failure to take prompt action to amend them following the Executives decision to do so in July:

“The Council moved like greased lightning to install the humps in the first place, but seem to be in no hurry to amend them to a more sensible gradient.This is yet another example of a Labour-run council which is clearly out of touch with and contemptuous of local opinion.”

Lib Dem transport spokesperson Cllr Susan Oatway (Alexandra ward) adds:

“This botched process has also set a dangerous precedent. This Council has now sent a clear signal to residents that a comprehensive consultation exercise counts for nothing under this Labour administration. As ward councillors we have been left to pick up the pieces.This is clearly no way to run a council.”