Crash on Forest Hill Road

[Monkey]

I could not agree more Only me!

[Medley]

I too complained about the speeds reached on this particular stretch and was told something would be done. We're still waiting.

The problem is obvious - especially heading northbound and so downhill, once you've cleared the speed humps at the top of the road and if there are no pedestrians by The Rose pub/Mundania Road you then have a clear run all the way to or even through the lights just before the Park before jamming on the brakes for the speed camera by the Park (if you think it's working).

So you've got a racetrack stretch between traffic calming measures. The speeds I used to see reached regularly (I mean at least seen twice a week, and I'm not talking about the small hours either) were insane - easily over 50mph straight past people's homes, the pub, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, the nursery etc. etc.

I no longer live in Honor Oak but surely the local councillors must try to do something?

[Jacbuc]

I agree with only me - looking at the photo gives some indication of the speed the vehicle must have been travelling - Im glad the driver is ok but I hope the police take action against them as they could quite easily have killed someone else.

[Growlybear]

I agree Caroline, but I don't think it's as weird as taking the pictures in the first place (unless of course you were involved in the accident in some way and needed photographic evidence).

Caroline_S Wrote:

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> Am I the only one to think it's a bit weird to ask

> for photos of a horrible sounding crash to be

> posted, let alone post them and look at them?

> Takes rubber necking to a whole new level.

> Fortunately the driver sounds as though he was

> okay, but what if he wasn't? Would you post photos

> then?

[the-e-dealer]

Ahh the Cameras be the work of the devil they steal your soul.

[fleur]

I think if this had happened an hour later the chances are that this would have been much worse. It is incredible that the driver survived. Those bollards are ugly but essential. There was a barrier with chevrons on the corner of Ryedale at one time. All the faffing about with traffic signals at Colyton and nothing been done to deter cars coming down the hill at speed.

[the-e-dealer]

The Traffic signals at Colyton were to get the Water works Lorries in and out safely.

They werent even a veiled attempt to slow anything down. Having been involved in 2 very near misses before the Lights were installed I have to say I am in favour of keeping them

[KidKruger]

"Shocking photos of the effects of smoking are deemed to help scare people to their senses, why not the same with the effects of stupid driving?"

Years ago when I was in provincial Thailand many small towns had the wrecks from fatal car crashes lined-up along the boundary of the police station, to warn of dangers of speeding, drink driving and dangerous driving.

[Anstergirl]

I live on Forest Hill Road and the speed of cars appears to have drastically INCREASED since those crossing places were put in. The crossing places have only made it marginally easier to cross. The should be zebra crossings and at least cars would slow down a bit. If you are driving down hill you can see any evidence of crossing places so drivers make no allowance for this. I saw the aftermath of this crash when on way to work, and sadly was not surprised. There is an urgent requirement to reduce speed on this road before people are killed. James Barbour - response please.

[Anstergirl]

Another thing- why is there not speed cameras or those signs that show speed going. Setting these up should alleviate some of the problem.

Think Renata may be councillor who should respond.

[jctg]

Anstergirl Wrote:

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James Barbour - response please.

How about, "James Barbour (sic), can we please have a response?"

[annabel42]

There are other accidents waiting to happen in Forest Hill Road. Vehicles travelling down Forest Hill Road turn right into Brenchley Gardens; vehicles travelling up Forest Hill Road turn left into Brenchley Gardens, which makes it difficult and dangerous for pedestrians attempting to cross Brenchley Gardens, particularly when drivers do not reduce their speed.

Slightly further up,removal vans and other large vehicles are often parked on Forest Hill Road just below and just above Honor Oak Rise. Even when parked outside the yellow line, it is impossible for vehicles turning right from Honor Oak Rise into Forest Hill Road and also for vehicles travelling up Forest Hill Road, to see oncoming vehicles.

I contacted Southwark Council a couple of years ago about these matters, to no avail.

Perhaps Renata/James could also look into these issues, please?

The Wood Vale intersection with Forest Hill Road also presents problems for pedestrians when vehicles are turning right from Forest Hill Road into Wood Vale at high speeds.

[Twirly]

Anstergirl Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I live on Forest Hill Road and the speed of cars

> appears to have drastically INCREASED since those

> crossing places were put in. The crossing places

> have only made it marginally easier to cross. The

> should be zebra crossings and at least cars would

> slow down a bit. If you are driving down hill you

> can see any evidence of crossing places so drivers

> make no allowance for this. I saw the aftermath of

> this crash when on way to work, and sadly was not

> surprised. There is an urgent requirement to

> reduce speed on this road before people are

> killed. James Barbour - response please.

Judging by the thread on the zebra crossings near the hospital on East Dulwich Grove, speeding drivers don't take too much notice of zebra crossings and it won't slow them down. I guess that's what needed is a combination of speed bumps/traffic lights/speed cameras, which when their installation is announced will cause others to complain about them.

I remain surprised that with the plethora of speed cameras around London, combined with the numbers of people you see speeding, that people still do it and manage to retain their licences. Something doesn't add up, but I've not idea what.

I also have to admit that it's very easy down that stretch of road to suddenly find yourself exceeding the speed limit (though unlike some people, I know where my brakes are!). So maybe speed humps at the appropriate points might be the easiest and most effective solution.

[TonyQuinn]

All those concerned about the situation on Forest Hill Road, please ring up the council as soon as possible. I will be ringing them up again tomorrow. The more we complain about what's going on and insist on action, the greater likelihood of change. I often walk with my son in his pram up the hill and find it traumatic crossing Brenchley Gardens. The Honor Oak Rise/Forest Hill Road junction seems to have improved though. The other problem is, who's jurisdiction is it? Southwark or Lewisham?

[annabel42]

It is in Southwark's jurisdiction. The situation is somewhat peculiar because parts of Forest Hill Road are actually in SE23 which one would have thought would be in the borough of Lewisham, but are actually in Southwark. Not sure about Brenchley Gardens, but certainly Honor Oak Rise is in SE23. The sign designating Lewisham is situate in the vicinity of the bus stop at the Honor Oak end of Forest Hill Road. Residents of Honor Oak Rise pay Council tax to Southwark.

[the-e-dealer]

brenchley is also southwark

[annabel42]

Meant wasn't sure whether Brenchley is SE22 or SE23. Not that it matters or is relevant to the post, but out of curiosity, is it SE22 or SE23?

[jumpinjackflash]

Brenchley Gardens is SE23

[sheilarose]

It's all very confusing in these parts. Forest Hill Rd -- ie the actual road -- is under the jurisdiction of Southwark. We live directly opposite St Francesca Cabrini school and our house falls under Lewisham, whereas the school is controlled by Southwark. When we wanted a drop curb, we had to get Southwark to do it, even though our house and driveway are in Lewisham.

[JohnL]

Did you see the program on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. As soon as

Something happens anywhere somebody records it on their mobile phone.

I'm also sure a police chief constable once released photos of a decapitated

Motorcyclist, just googled it and he claimed it was a closed meeting and leaked,

Still horrific.

Growlybear Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I agree Caroline, but I don't think it's as weird

> as taking the pictures in the first place (unless

> of course you were involved in the accident in

> some way and needed photographic evidence).

>

> Caroline_S Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Am I the only one to think it's a bit weird to

> ask

> > for photos of a horrible sounding crash to be

> > posted, let alone post them and look at them?

> > Takes rubber necking to a whole new level.

> > Fortunately the driver sounds as though he was

> > okay, but what if he wasn't? Would you post

> photos

> > then?

[the-e-dealer]

thing is the police need as much evidence as possible. What really is weird is police releasing video evidence.

[Blueskies]

I have recently moved to the area and have found Forest Hill Road to be a badly managed section of road. This recent crash makes me even more concerned.

There seems to have been little forethought about the needs of pedestrians, with no pedestrian crossings. Also, where wood vale meets Forest hill rd, there is no green man crossing at the traffic lights there.

The road layout encourages excessive speed, which when combined with a lack of crossings, could lead to a serious accident.

As someone else pointed out, at peak rush hour, where Brenchley Gardens meets Foest Hill road, the junction seems very chaotic.

A further bugbear of mine is that at the entrance to the wood vale estate (opp brenchley gardens) there is no dropped curb, and the curb is high, meaning it's difficult for anyone with a buggy (and I would have thought impossible in a wheelchair) to continue along that section of pavement.

I'm going to write to both Lewisham and Southwark about this (not clear who's responsibility this actually is and perhaps this is part of the problem?) - if lots of us do the same maybe the councillors will finally act. (we can but hope!)

It would also be good for one of the local councillors to respond to this thread, too, since it is clearly an issue which quite a few people have concerns about.

[annabel42]

It is definitely Southwark's responsibility.

I have very nearly been knocked down by a car at the intersection of Wood Vale and Forest Hill Road and have had near collisions when travelling as a passenger from Honor Oak Rise into Forest Hill Road (both directions).

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

You can't expect local councillors to read every thread on this forum. It would be courteous to draw their attention to this by sending a PM or placing a request on the existing ED Councillor - how can I help thread: http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,336529,911477#msg-911477

[kiera]

Good advice but wrong ward and therefore wrong councillor.