Southwark want width restrictions – we want a quietway!

Time to tell Southwark that their residents do actually support walking and cycling.

We need you to answer the consultation at: https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/harperroadimprovements/

The short response is: agree with everything, but in the comments say ‘The width restrictions should be full closures to motor traffic, apart from emergency vehicles and refuse collection.’

But why does Harper Road matter?

Harper Road road matters because it is (theoretically) part of a Quietway called the Southwark Spine. Currently as the council modestly admits it is “in concept design” and has been for 8 years. This is because Tfl says it’s not good enough to be a quietway. Harper Road is a not-good-enough bit, so it’s blocking the whole route south.

Southwark put in a trial width restriction which cut the HGVs from 5% to 1%. It was vandalised three times. The 1% presumably came through in the periods of vandalism. NO2 levels went down. So far, so good but more would be better. Southwark Cyclists and residents want a full closure. That’s cheaper, more effective, quieter, better for the kids at the Globe Academy and the people attending the Mosque and would really bring the NO2 levels down.

But no, expensive, ineffectual stuff is what Southwark prefers. Planters, build-outs, a raised crossing, wider humps, pretty bricks on the footpath to the shops, cycle stands, seats, painting hopscotch on the pavement since the kids aren’t allowed out to do it themselves. It’s not that we’re against these things, but they cost more and achieve less than just doing it properly and cutting the through-traffic.

We’re making progress in Southwark
Every year sees a few more improvements. But we need to keep making the point that lots of people support these changes – especially residents.

For a detailed response, see our draft consultation response, but the more it’s in your own words the better. Harper Road consultation response draft 271118

The short response is: agree with everything, but in the comments say ‘The width restrictions should be full closures to motor traffic, apart from emergency vehicles and refuse collection.’

Answer the consultation at: https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/harperroadimprovements/