Aims
This group grew out of the original reason for the foundation of the Highgate Society, that is concern about the impact that modern traffic and its growth has on the environment of the village and its residents. This committee attempts to ensure that Highgate has an influence on schemes that might be devised by the authorities before they act to implement their ‘improvements'. We bring to their attention matters of safety and convenience concerning transport.
Members
David Shelbourn (Chair), Adrian Betham, Gordon Forbes, Richard Webber, Jane Gordon, Donna Gershinson, Brendan Nolan, Ronnie Eyres, John Oakes and Alan Taylor.
The 271 Bus Stand
Camden Council has issued a consultation leaflet telling us that Transport for London want to re-design the 271 bus stand at the entrance to Pond Square. TfL will pay for the work, apparently. Camden has asked for all our views on the plan ready for a council meeting in November.
The Highgate Society opposes this plan. Instead it proposes a radically different plan for the routing of the 271 bus. The alternative plan would remove the 271 stand from Pond Square altogether. Instead of turning there, we propose that the 271 continue north along North Road and North Hill and turn around at the ‘ Wellington’ Junction where Aylmer Road and the Great North Road meet the Archway Road and then stand where the 234 bus finishes its run. Alternatively, it could continue to East Finchley tube station. Then it would make the return run via North Hill & North Road joining its present route south-east.
The benefits of extending the 271 route:
1 . It would double the existing bus service on North Hill providing a far more convenient and extended service to St. Michael’s and Highgate Primary Schools, to the Highgate Group Practice Doctors’ Surgery, to the Highgate Private Hospital, and to Highgate School. It would greatly enhance the bus service to and from the Whittington Hospital and beyond.
2 . In addition, the route extension would have the 271 serving the same southbound bus stop as the 210 and 143 in Highgate High Street, eliminating the dangerous running across the road trying to catch the next southbound bus.
3 . The removal of the Bus Stand and buses turning in Highgate High Street would both improve the traffic flow, and allow for a re-design of the entrance to Pond Square to improve the amenity for pedestrians and vehicles alike.
4. The extended route would also connect with the northern end of the 214 bus to Kentish Town and with the end of the 234 to East Finchley and Fortis Green.
The Society believes that this short extension of the 271 would have wide benefits which would also include TfL. The purpose of our petition is to help persuade TfL, Camden, and Haringey that this proposal should be adopted.
Other key issues under consideration by the Committee include:
Controlled Parking Zones (CPZ's)
The CPZ's installed within Highgate by the boroughs of Haringey and Camden came into effect during Apri 2004l. In both areas these operate on weekdays only, 10.00 to 12.00. During these hours parking within the zone for those with permits must be at the appropriate designated parking places or at ‘pay and display' areas.
Reviews of the impact of these CPZs are due after six months of operation, that is at September 2004.
Due to the large number of requests that have been received, Haringey is consulting in other areas currently outside its existing zone.
Islington is currently in consultation with the residents of the area bounded by Hornsey Lane, Hornsey Rise, Archway road and St. John's Way about the implementation of a CPZ.
Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage Bus Service (603)
This trial service running two buses each morning and afternoon in both directions during school days will be reviewed in late summer 2004. Transport for London has agreed that it will continue to run if the review is delayed for any reason. If it is proved that the service has been successful it is expected that the service will be extended to run throughout the day.