Neighbourhood Action Group
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Clapton Pond Neighbourhood Action Group |
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Letter by E-Mail Attachment 2 July 2003 From: Chris Miele, Chair, Clapton Pond Neighbourhood Action Group, 020 7250 1555 (work). chrismiele@blueyonder.co.uk. Address for correspondence: c/o Alan Baxter & Associates, Consulting Engineers, 75 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EL. To: Roger Pye, LBI Route Manager, Transport for London Dear Mr Pye Consultation over Proposals for Leabridge Roundabout Bus Stand, with Clapton Pond Neighbourhood Action Group: Discussion held at the Gooch House, Tenants and Residents’ Association Hall, 1 July 2003, 19:30 to 21:00 hours Thank you for taking the time to present TfL’s emerging proposals for the bus stand in the roundabout. The people who attended very much appreciated having you on hand to talk about this important matter, and we valued your openness and direct answers. I am writing to summarise the substance of what you presented, the discussion that flowed from this, and questions we would very much like to have the answers to. Summary of Points Covered in Your Presentation You very helpfully explained to us TfL’s remit and its relationship with the local borough highway authority. The statistics are quite staggering: 5,000,000 people daily on London buses, far more than any other mode of transport; 6,000 buses on 700 routes, covering 2,800 km of roads (only 600 km fraction of which fall to TfL’s responsibility). Essentially, TfL are responsible for red routes and the local boroughs for the rest. You began by describing the rationale of the proposals. They are part of the London Bus Initiative; the bus stand is needed for recovery times at either end of the route and would supplant the stand at Clapton Pond. As I understand it, the current bus stand proposals were generated by an initial proposal to use the land southwest of the Medine Mosque for a no. 55 bus stand. This was revised in response to comments from local people and councillors. CPNAG helped to coordinate this response. In March 2003 TfL formally consulted the local area, by means of an indicative plan and letter briefly describing the proposals. You indicated there were very few responses, which TfL generally took to mean that the proposals were uncontroversial. TfL are now, you noted, progressing an outline design. You indicated that the exit position, to the northeast quadrant of the roundabout, had been dictated by the presence of statutory services, which it is very expensive to move. You also noted that the outline proposals still allowed for the retention of a two bus-stand at Clapton Pond (your thoughts at this time is for the stand to be located to the south of the Pond, away from Bishopswood Almshouses). You acknowledged the desirability of retaining as many of the mature trees in the roundabout as possible. It was observed that the emerging layout had spaces for eleven buses, with an operatives’ hut in the centre. You very kindly tabled the outline plans. One of the challenges was providing for bendibuses – soon to be used on the 38 route. You also observed that there was pressure from the operators to retain or increase bus stands. You indicated that TfL had the power and funding to improve access to bus stops, and in particular improving pedestrian facilities at junctions between red routes and side roads (raised tables, etc.). Discussion and Questions Generated by Your Presentation There was a great deal of discussion about the relationship between buses that terminate in the Clapton area – and which, quite reasonably, need a stand for recovery time (for example, the 38, S2 and new 309 – and those buses that are merely stopping during their route – the 55, 56, 253, 48, 254. Why do they need to stand here, or, indeed, anywhere other than their respective termini? One person asked about the Narroway garage, and you responded that this belonged to an operator, and so was not suitable for a stand. You observed the congestion problems at this location. Several people mentioned the nuisances caused by idling buses (pollution, etc.). You responded that this was a London-wide problem that TfL is trying to combat by driver education. You also noted that one of the problems has been retention of bus drivers, but added that this was improving. There was concern about the placement of bus stops, and the scope for rationalising this. There was a great deal of concern about the traffic congestion in the roundabout itself, and how this would affect bus services, if there were a stand formed in the roundabout. You answered that this was due partly to the fact that the Leabridge Road bus lane began too near the roundabout, and you added that TfL was looking at changing the bus lane provision at this point. The condition of the land, to the southeast of the roundabout, after the recent TRANSCO works was also the subject of discussion. You accepted that it was in a very bad state, and unacceptable, and assured us that TfL was ‘chasing’ TRANSCO to reinstate the land. A number of people who attended questioned whether the proposals wouldn’t have the long-term, ill effect, of ‘freezing’ the road layout of the roundabout. Wouldn’t it be better, one man observed, to have a cross roads here again? You accepted that there could probably be less tarmac, and shorter pedestrian crossings. There are, you indicated, no prospects in the short term of a total reconfiguration. I described for you how the group was launched with a ‘vision’ for the area that included the roundabout turned back into a cross roads. People were concerned about the landscaping of the new facility and design of the crew hut, especially as the Clapton Pond Conservation Area lies to the south. You indicated your view that no planning permission was required, but one of our councillors urged TfL to consult the borough planners and arboriculturists over design matters and trees, asking that TfL follow ‘best practice’ to achieve a satisfactory design. Towards the end of your slot the floor was thrown open to other questions. One concerned the congestion at the lights at the junction of Urswick and Lower Clapton Road, where there had been severe congestion after the redesign of pedestrian facilities. You indicated that TfL were actively looking into this pinch point. You also described the methods available for policing bus lanes. The Metropolitan Police are responsible for enforcing restrictions. You indicated an agency (department?) called TOCU (Traffic Operational Command Units), whose job it is to ‘blitz’ red routes and ticket infractions over a week or so to change parking behaviour. This had worked successfully in Kingsland Road and around Dalston. Group Discussion After you left, there was a lively discussion. The consensus view was: - There was real scepticism about the need for a stand at this point, midway along the routes of so many buses (106 and 253/254 for example). People accepted that the 38, S2 and 309 routes needed a stand, since they terminated/began at Clapton. But why, it was asked, do through buses need to stop here? People were genuinely concerned that the decision to put a stand in Clapton was merely expedient, because you appear to own the land, and that little consideration was had for either the impacts on the local community or the efficiency of the location. It was observed – and I think you heard some of these comments – that there was plenty of undeveloped land to the east in Leabridge. - People were exercised by the loss of mature trees, but willing to accept replacements if the roundabout design was well considered and landscaped. - People were strongly in favour of removing all the buses from around Clapton Pond. - Sadly, people felt that Clapton was perceived as a ‘soft’ environmental target – lack of NIMBIES, deprived community, etc… Questions/Requests for Specific Information back from TfL On the basis of the above, the group instructed me to put the following questions to you: 1.0 Could you please send us details of consultation: letters issued and where, and analysis of comments back, etc., from the March 2003 consultation? 2.0 Further details about the justification for a stand in this location, bearing in mind that it seems intended for buses that don’t either start or terminate at Clapton Pond. Why is this area so important strategically? Related to the above, why did you select the site? What other sites, apart from the area near the Mosque, were considered and on what bases? 3.0 Will TfL agree to treat the design of the new facility as a serious matter, seeking the best possible landscaping solution and architectural solution for the crew hut – which will be widely visible and from within the conservation area (and within the settings of listed buildings)? 4.0 Is it possible that, assuming the new facility goes ahead, TfL could look at rationalising the bus stops in the area, and the access routes to the bus stops? This would, I should add, be a real, very significant benefit to local people. 5.0 The details of a person at TRANSCO whom we can write to encourage the attractive reinstatement of the land southwest of the Mosque. 6.0 The details/progress, as they become available, of your attempts to ease the movement of traffic in the Lower Clapton Road, as it approaches the junction with Urswick Road. Related to this, can you confirm when TOCU will target our bus lanes? If not, can you indicate whom we should contact to encourage this to be done? 7.0 Details of whom we can write to request improvements at junctions of the Lower Clapton Road and side roads, around the Pond. I would be most grateful if you could respond to these questions in the next month of so. In conclusion, once again, I would like to thank you for taking the time and trouble to discuss these matters. Your presentation was much appreciated and stimulated a very interesting discussion. I would like to invite you back next year so we have a chance to get an update on various matters. By all means get in touch with me if these notes do not reflect your understanding of what was said or if they are factually inaccurate. I have tried my best to do justice to the event – no easy task when the issues are complex.
Dr Chris Miele
This Page was last update: Thursday, July 3, 2003 at 12:33:54 PM This site is using the Slab-Green 1.0 theme.
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