Council's removal of pedestrian refuge at Red Post Hill/East Dulwich Grove junction

[Rockets]

....seems like a really bad idea as I always see lots of Charter kids taking refuge halfway across the road - does anyone know why the council want to/need to remove this? I am not sure about anyone else but their new consultation documents seem to be very light of reasons why they need to make changes like this - there is never any explanation.

 

https://southwarknews.co.uk/area/dulwich/dulwich-residents-warn-removing-traffic-island-could-endanger-pedestrians/

https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/dulwich-village-phase-3-design/supporting_documents/Red Post Hill Junction Consultation Plan.pdf

 

[Jules-and-Boo]

I also think that's a very bad decision. If they are removing it, they need to replace with a zebra crossing. Childrens' safety has to be paramount

 

I don't think they've used the right photo - that's a junction with lights. The island is outside of the station entrance

Edited January 12, 2024 by Jules-and-Boo

[Rockets]

I am pretty sure they are referring to the refuge at the crossroads junction not outside the station so the photo is right - see the consultation document - the refuges have been removed from the schematic and it says: EXISTING TRAFFIC ISLAND TO BE REMOVED FROM ALL FOUR ARMS (caps because I copied from the doc ;-))

https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/environment-leisure/dulwich-village-phase-3-design/supporting_documents/Red Post Hill Junction Consultation Plan.pdf

 

I think they are doing it because they are trying to improve the flow of traffic from Dulwich Village and increase/advance the cycle stoplines - at the moment it is pretty much one lane northbound on Dulwich Village as you approach the junction due to the cycle wands and that is what has been causing the congestion backing up through Dulwich Village (and pollution outside Hamlets). They also want to put "new advanced cycle stoplines" in place and I suspect both of these have come at the cost to pedestrians - which is ludicrous given the number of children and adults that use that junction given it's proximity to both the station and Charter - at every light phase you see people using the refuge.

[northernmonkey]

@Jules-and-Boo  its not the Island by the station entrance that's proposed to be removed, its the ones on the 4 arm crossing at RPH, Dulwich Village and Village way / EDG that are light controlled crossings.   My understanding is that the islands are being removed to facilitate a right turn lane on Dulwich Village into EDG.

Edited January 12, 2024 by northernmonkey

[CPR Dave]

I'm going to object on the bases that removing street space and streets for living and streets for people is contrary to the councils stated plans to ban cars and enforce active travel.

This flies in the face of their green credentials too and it must be stopped.

Makes a total mockery of the low traffic neighbourhood schemes nearby.

[Rockets]

I think what has happened is the cycle wands on Dulwich Village northbound have been creating tailbacks through the village since they went in as it reduces the northbound to one lane and the long tailbacks through the Village (especially at weekends) is not good but again, pedestrians come bottom of the pile when it comes to protection etc.

 

All the council are doing is trying to fix a problem of their making and it is ludicrous that the refuge is being removed, especially as the new lane will create an increased frequency of cars turning right.

 

The council seem to be losing all sense of reality.

[vladi]

Yes, they messed up that junction when they put the cycle wands a few years ago.

And they still plan to retain them even though very few cyclists use that junction going North bound. None of the other arms at this junction have cycle wands 
They are getting rid of all the pedestrian refuges so that will mean reworking the traffic signals that are located there. More expense!

Many more cyclists go North via Greendale from Townley Road. It's much safer.

[heartblock]

Terrible idea, this cross-road is heavily pedestrianised during the school run. This from the council who advocate 'active travel'. I walk this way most days and the islands are a safe zone for pedestrians. Removing them is extraordinarily foolish and dangerous. 

Junction planning by this council has been awful for years, with Townley - EDG being the worse and most messed around of the bunch - still at least the planner did well out of their mess.

[Rockets]

One does wonder how connected our councillors are to the local area as they make truly bizarre decisions that anyone who knows the area would consider utterly daft. The removal of these pedestrian refuges is really ludicrous and will reduce safety for pedestrians significantly.