Forum Topic

Dover House Rd becomes one way 6-9am Monday-Saturday

What do you think? Suggests a done decision with no "wider consultation" Thought it best to open this to the Putney community.Copies of emails sent to me by Dover House shopkeepers and response they received from Wandsworth council. "Wandsworth council has made the decision to close Doverhouse Road from Putney Heath to the Upper Richmond Road between the hours of 6am – 9am Monday to Saturday on a six months trial.The council has pushed through this road closure under an experimental traffic order for which they say no formal consultation is required. They have been manipulated into making the decision by the residents of the Doverhouse estate who carried out their own traffic survey which the council has accepted. The Residents call Doverhouse Road a rat run. We the shop keepers at the bottom of Doverhouse road argue that it is a long straight road for the use of both buses and cars to gain access from Putney Heath to the Upper Richmond Road. Only when cars turn off Doverhouse Road into the side streets would we consider it to be a rat run. If the road is closed the traffic will potentially reroute itself onto the next available route, Putney Park Lane and Carslake Road and then filter through to the Upper Richmond Road through various routes giving extra traffic for those Residents. Wandsworth residents who live on Putney Heath, Roehampton Lane the , Danebury Avenue Estate and along the A3 corridor, will all experience delays and longer journey times. We are proposing to the Council that everyone who may be affected should be consulted and that the traffic problems are rectified on the Doverhouse Road (I.e. stop the double parking of vehicles at the bottom of Doverhouse Road to allow the free flow of traffic one lane in either direction).TheDoverhouse problem is now being made a problem for the whole Community. We need your support to stop this road closure. We need you to inform all your friends and neighbours who you think will be affected. Please contact the following email addresses to voice your concerns immediately. Nick.O’Donnell@richmondandwandsworth.gov.ukgreeningj@parliament.ukSteffi.sutters@me.comClark.J.Cooper@wandsworth.gov.uk Just to add some comments from the Council’s perspective.  There were two petitions received around the desire for timed restrictions on Dover House Road and the criteria for their qualification was met.  Details can be found in the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny report (https://democracy.wandsworth.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=574&MId=5739&Ver=4).  The Council has restricted the proposal to just operate in the morning between 06:00 and 09:00 Monday to Saturday and to be introduced under an experimental traffic order.  An experimental traffic order carries no formal consultation requirements but it allows representation to be made during the experimental period (which is a minimum of 6 month and a maximum of 18 months) and an information letter will be circulated to residents (the area to be agreed with Cllrs) ahead of the start of this trial.  In terms of traffic redistribution, we have collated a series of “before” data and will monitor the effects of the scheme on all local roads.  The advantage of an experimental order and limited hours of operation is it allows the “soft testing” of measures and any decisions can be reversed, tweaked or made permanent depending on the outcomes. Officers have exhausted a lot of time looking at the traffic issues in this area and considering a multitude of options.  We have engaged on multiple occasions face to face with a number of businesses and residents in the area and are always willing to do so.    Regards Nick     

Mary Emmett ● 2866d121 Comments

Any idea as to where the 430 bus will be routed? Will there be an exception for them? All rather bizarre. I think this will just add to the traffic problems in this area and not solve any.

Denzil Darby ● 2866d

Also getting to the back of the Hospital so you can walk down the Crestway. Should stop all the parking in Doverhouse Road.

Barbara Stevens ● 2866d

And what happens to the residents?

Ivonne Holliday ● 2866d

It would appear it's only no entering from the south of Dover House 6-9 So residents can still leave and return. It suggests 0900 was chosen and not the requested 10am so to allow  for the returning school run. This scheme may restrict parking without the need for a parking scheme that got knocked back anyhow.

Simon Nicklinson ● 2865d

Again, this was the brainchild of Steffi Sutters, who assured me at the time that Carslake Road, Tildesley Road etc would also be protected and said re routed traffic would not be allowed through there as schools are based thereIt seems she has changed her mind or actually this was what she was going to do all alongSurely, if anything was to be done with this area, it should be stopping cars going down all roads? And if anything just allow them down Dover House Road as it's the largestWhat's to stop a car driving down Putney Park Drive, left onto Crestway and then joining DHR?

Emarisa Battoia ● 2865d

The council plan is for three sets of cameras to prevent access from all southerly points. It’s worth reading the document from the link sent.

Simon Nicklinson ● 2865d

I do not usually respond but must in this case.  The idea to close the road between 6 and 9 is MOST DEFINITELY  not my idea.    It is DHERA's wish and they are pushing hard for this experimental order.  They have been adament that there is a groundswell of support from residents for a scheme to be brought in.

Steffi Sutters ● 2864d

Steffi, you said publicly that this was a priority of yours to stop the rat run on DHRYou also publicly said that you would ensure that the surrounding roads would not be affected by this, including Carslake Road and Tildesley Road; in fact your words were 'i won't let that happen'These roads have 2 schools and all the traffic will be pushed down there. What thought give to them?And while this may not have been your idea you were 100% behind it; at the Hustings you said you were 'pushing for it' as well as the resurfacing of Putney Park Lane

Emarisa Battoia ● 2864d

I said that I had a priority to stop rat running and I do.  Along Dover House Road and West Putney as a whole. It affects us all.  And I am very concerned at displacement.  I have tackled officers on displacement due to the proposed scheme on many occasions and last month again had them look at Carslake Road which I think is dangerous and overused, and likely to worsen.  I was told that there is not enough evidence nor a sufficient level of resident support to do anything. I am 100% behind stopping as far as is practical  rat running without making navigation of the area unacceptably tortuous.    DHERA have pushed long and hard for DHS Road to be closed at peak times ( and incidentally are now pushing for the same to happen in the evening).  There have been two petitions calling for action. We have to take account of these whether we agree or not with their selected solution.  But before anything further is even considered we would need to see the outcome (and the outcry) of the morning closure trial. Putney Park Lane is a different matter and I do not agree with the nay sayers on this but accept some residents have found fault with what has been done.  The scheme aimed to make it more awkward for cars to navigate and to curtail speed.  You will recall some years ago a little dog was killed on the lane and since then I have had calls for action.  DHERA have objected strenuously to what has been done and as a result, I have given an undertaking that no further phases of the work will now be undertaken. It is hard to capture all my thoughts on a forum such as this but I hope that clears some misunderstandings.  Please write to me directly if you wish a fuller answer on cllr.s.sutters@wandsworth.gov.uk.  The more resident interaction the better so that we, as your councillors,  fully understand what residents want.

Steffi Sutters ● 2864d

DHR is actually a pretty big road so like other people, I would not say it's a rat run. Using the side streets will make those a rat run howeverRe Carslake Road, when has anyone ever actually asked? Out of interest? I'm not saying that something doesn't need to be done, but I am saying that ALL roads leading from the Heath to the URR should have the same thing applied otherwise the lovely people of DHR are pushing the same problem onto their neighbours, which is very un-neighbourly! Does that make sense?As for emails, when people do email there is rarely a response. Maybe check spam folder from time to time as that could be the problem?Again, I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but I AM saying it's unfair to people living in other roads and I should not be criticized by you for saying that.

Emarisa Battoia ● 2863d

I am not criticising you and it is good that you engage.  I have ensured that Carslake etc are in the consultation on the trial but this does not happen before.  I do hope they respond and if you have any suggestions as to how we could promote response I would appreciate hearing these.  I am in touch with some of the RA's which should help

Steffi Sutters ● 2863d

I wish to support Emarisa 's comments wholeheartedly.While I agree that DHR has a problem at the bottom end, it does not for the rest of its length.  Much to my surprise, if not horror, roads will be blocked at the junctions with Roehampton High Street and Putney Heath - by stealth.  These closures do not include the junctions of Carslake Road or Tildesley Road with Putney Heath.  Residents on Medfield Street, at least, and I suppose Roehampton High Street were not consulted on the proposed closure of roads either.Were experts on traffic management consulted at all?I find it inappropriate that, to "solve" the problem at the bottom of DHR, this problem by definition has been shifted onto other roads.  Not a pragmatic solution to a real problem everywhere.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2863d

I agree Emarissa - Dover House residents seem unconcerned that the problem they have will be pushed onto other people living in streets narrower and less capable of coping with traffic than DHR. Carslake is a good one in question. Even years ago living in both Westleigh and Chartfield I used it to take my kids to school in Roehampton. It was murder then especially as he road curves (ulike DHR) so heaven knows what it's like now or will be in the future. DHR was a alternative I used sometimes. It was never as bad to navigate as Carslake.One could use the argument that people who bought homes on he Dove House Estate must have known DHR was a through road between URR and Putney Heath/Roehampton and  traffic heavy at certain times of the day.Of course as a powerful working Residents Association their 'voice' is shouting loudest and will be listened to by WBC so Steffi is correct saying that other constituents need to make their  protests heard too.

Lucille Grant ● 2863d

Steffi - I do hope you refer Emarissa, Ivonne and my comments to your colleagues. I fear DHERA will ride roughshod over other West Putney residents views. Thank you.

Lucille Grant ● 2863d

Yes, traffic engineers put this forward as one solution and you are right DHERA only consulted the immediate estate but managed to garner enough support to trigger a trial.  I will add your voice to the number of concerned residents who are contacting us and thanks for engaging.

Steffi Sutters ● 2863d

Definitely and any more that come through

Steffi Sutters ● 2863d

Thanks Lucille and you are right

Steffi Sutters ● 2863d

Hello againI would just like to say for the record that i think Steffi is a great local Councillor; even if i don't always agree with the result i find her very proactive and always willing to communicate. This is what you need from local politics and she is a great exampleBut yes, i am frustrated by this, and i do think a wider consultation should have happened even if it was just letters going to people on affected roads to see what they thoughtThe bottleneck at the bottom of DHR could contribute towards the problem and i do wonder if stop the parking at the very bottom would help. It is part of our nature to not like cars parking near us or using our roads as cut throughs, but we all do it and maybe we should remember that when wanting to block traffic. In my view out of all the roads mentioned DHR is the safest as it is wider so  you can usually see oncoming traffic and it has road bumps to slow cars. Putney Park Road and Carslake Road are smaller and also have no road bumps and this concerns me. In my opinion (for what its worth) all roads mentioned should have had the same restrictions applied and people then use Roehampton Lane and Putney Hill (the roads they are trying to avoid!)

Emarisa Battoia ● 2863d

DHERA response:1. In 2003 the Royal Parks closed the A3 gate into Richmond Park.  By 2005, traffic volumes on Dover House Road had more than doubled as motorists used the estate as a rat run to avoid Roehampton Lane.  The Council long ago confirmed that our traffic volumes are unacceptable for a residential area. 2.  Between 6-7am, 90% of the traffic on Dover House Road is through traffic, and during peak hours, nearly 70% is through traffic.  This is rat running. 3.  A DHERA proposal was made 10 years ago to stop morning traffic turning off Roehampton Lane without the need to close any other roads.  It was falsely claimed that this would increase rat running through the rest of west Putney,  when IN FACT the plan would have eliminated this rat running through west Putney - i.e. stopped it through all the roads from Putney Heath, which would have been much better for everyone.  As a result, the proposals were not adopted.  WE WOULD HAVE GLADLY WANTED TO STOP IT FROM ROEHAMPTON LANE ALONG PUTNEY HEATH FOR EVERYONE'S BENEFIT. 4.  Since that time, the residents of the Dover House Estate, and Dover House Road in particular, have continued to suffer from excessive traffic - disturbed sleep from vehicles crashing over speed humps in the early hours, traffic fumes, damage to vehicles, danger to residents and their pets, and increasing problems entering and exiting our own estate due to the congestion caused by rat running traffic.  5.  Over 90% of residents surveyed signed the petition in favour of the current scheme. We were told by the council that this was the correct thing to do.  6.  Many of the shops will be unaffected by the current plans as they will not be open during the restricted hours.  Those that are open can be accessed from Upper Richmond Road.7.  The proposal to remove parked cars at the bottom of Dover House Road in order to allow free flow of traffic would simply increase rat running and speeding, while depriving residents of scarce parking.  There have been three accidents on Dover House road in the last 3 months.  The most recent last Sunday 1/6/19 when the entire road had to be closed off for several hours. 8.  DHERA and DHE residents completely support our local shops, which is why DHERA is objecting to the Council's current plans to change the traffic pattern in front of the shops (close the central exit), which could actually threaten the shops survival by restricting access and causing increased congestion. If it goes ahead, vehicles coming down Dover House road will NOT be able to turn in to the shops and given that all the vehicles will have to exit on to Dover House road it will make it very hard to be able to exit from the shops.  People may just stop visiting the shops if they cannot get in and out easily any more.  That is something the shop keepers should consider.  The shops thrived long before the rat running began, and can continue to do so after the restrictions are in place.  Many people visiting the shops, walk there from the Dover House estate and surrounding areas.  The convenience of a few  customers, who have vehicular access from the Upper Richmond Road, cannot justify subjecting local residents to the  continued detrimental effects of rat running.

Dover House estate Residents Association ● 2862d

DHERA response:1. In 2003 the Royal Parks closed the A3 gate into Richmond Park.  By 2005, traffic volumes on Dover House Road had more than doubled as motorists used the estate as a rat run to avoid Roehampton Lane.  The Council long ago confirmed that our traffic volumes are unacceptable for a residential area. 2.  Between 6-7am, 90% of the traffic on Dover House Road is through traffic, and during peak hours, nearly 70% is through traffic.  This is rat running. 3.  A DHERA proposal was made 10 years ago to stop morning traffic turning off Roehampton Lane without the need to close any other roads.  It was falsely claimed that this would increase rat running through the rest of west Putney,  when IN FACT the plan would have eliminated this rat running through west Putney - i.e. stopped it through all the roads from Putney Heath, which would have been much better for everyone.  As a result, the proposals were not adopted.  WE WOULD HAVE GLADLY WANTED TO STOP IT FROM ROEHAMPTON LANE ALONG PUTNEY HEATH FOR EVERYONE'S BENEFIT. 4.  Since that time, the residents of the Dover House Estate, and Dover House Road in particular, have continued to suffer from excessive traffic - disturbed sleep from vehicles crashing over speed humps in the early hours, traffic fumes, damage to vehicles, danger to residents and their pets, and increasing problems entering and exiting our own estate due to the congestion caused by rat running traffic.  5.  Over 90% of residents surveyed signed the petition in favour of the current scheme. We were told by the council that this was the correct thing to do.  6.  Many of the shops will be unaffected by the current plans as they will not be open during the restricted hours.  Those that are open can be accessed from Upper Richmond Road.7.  The proposal to remove parked cars at the bottom of Dover House Road in order to allow free flow of traffic would simply increase rat running and speeding, while depriving residents of scarce parking.  There have been three accidents on Dover House road in the last 3 months.  The most recent last Sunday 1/6/19 when the entire road had to be closed off for several hours.8.  DHERA and DHE residents completely support our local shops, which is why DHERA is objecting to the Council's current plans to change the traffic pattern in front of the shops (close the central exit), which could actually threaten the shops survival by restricting access and causing increased congestion. If it goes ahead, vehicles coming down Dover House road will NOT be able to turn in to the shops and given that all the vehicles will have to exit on to Dover House road it will make it very hard to be able to exit from the shops.  People may just stop visiting the shops if they cannot get in and out easily any more.  That is something the shop keepers should consider.  The shops thrived long before the rat running began, and can continue to do so after the restrictions are in place.  Many people visiting the shops, walk there from the Dover House estate and surrounding areas.  The convenience of a few  customers, who have vehicular access from the Upper Richmond Road, cannot justify subjecting local residents to the  continued detrimental effects of rat running.

Dover House estate Residents Association ● 2862d

Thank you DHERA for the response.I wanted to add that the closure in 2003 of Richmond's Park Kingston Gate has affected everyone, not just DHR.Medfield Street has 5 bus lines running along it plus an enormous amount of (sometimes speeding) through traffic.  I have read the report from the Council and it is laughable to learn that the volume of cars in Medfield Street is lower than DHR, even if you consider that some of the traffic does go up Roehampton High Street.I am appalled that the Council has opted for this divisive policy among SW15 residents. Perhaps the easiest one for them but certainly not a pragmatic approach. As a matter of interest, when does the 6-9am closure of DHR start, please?And I wholeheartedly agree with you that the current traffic pattern of the parade of shops should remain unchanged.  In my view, it is highly effective as it is at the moment.Thank you.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2862d

The council in response to a request by the editor of SW15 is issuing a statement to clarify some of the issues that are being raised.  Could I stress again that it is DHERA and not the council who are pushing for this solution to what they perceive as excessive traffic on Dover House Road and it is an experimental traffic order  not a forever intervention.  The council as you will have read feels that 2/3rd of journies emanate from within the estate itself (DHERA say otherwise) which is why the volumes are higher on Dover House Road. But you are right the closure of the gate affected the whole area and rat running along many West Putney roads is now intolerable.The Parade is a different matter. Again the statement will clarify. In the meantime,  I am happy to take your comment forward Ivonne that you feel  the central exit point is effective.  I am assuming you turn left when you exit.  Could you clarify please.

Steffi Sutters ● 2862d

Hello Steffi,Thank you for your comments and I very much look forward to reading the statement from the Council.As far as the Parade is concerned, I think the current arrangement is very effective indeed and everybody can leave the Parade, perhaps one at a time, but it works brilliantly. I certainly do not believe any changes are needed.When I use it, if I need to go towards East Sheen, I will turn left.  Otherwise, if I need to go towards Putney, I will turn left.I hope this helps!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2862d

Just to check, In theory could a driver instead turn into Putney Park Road (or Lane?) Then, for example turn left onto Crestway and get onto DHR that way? If so, isn't that what people will possibly do instead?Just curiousOn another note I do think it's great WBC are trialling this, it shows that they listen to local opinion..... Many councils don't!

Emarisa Battoia ● 2862d

Its does.  It is the turning right when there is a van in the loading bay that seems to be causing the problems.

Steffi Sutters ● 2862d

There is a possibility that some drivers might start to use old Putney Park Lane (the unmade up surface that is not meant for cars) and that is one of my concerns. You can't get from here to Crestway.  You are stuck on the lane so no they couldn't access that way.

Steffi Sutters ● 2862d

Sorry, I meant Dover Park Drive, left onto Crestway and then access DHR and would that not defeat the purpose?My main concern is the amount of schoolchildren at the point of DHD and Crestway that are walking to Grannard....DHD has no road bumps you see...

Emarisa Battoia ● 2862d

Surely Dover House Road is a main through-road and a double decker bus route rather than some quaint country lane?  It cannot be termed a 'rat run'!!  And has anybody contacted Queen Mary's Hospital about this and sought their views?  A good friend of mine works there and knew nothing about it.  Clinics start at 8am and a lot of patients and staff use this road to enter via the back entrance to the Hospital in Crestway.The problem with Dover House road and traffic is only evident at the north end near the junction with the Upper Richmond Road, where traffic bottles up.  How about banning all parking from beyond the last roundabout and/or a set of traffic lights (move from further down Upper Richmond Road) to enable DHR traffic to enter the Upper Richmond Road more easily?Displacing traffic from DHR will only make Putney Hill and Roehampton Lane even worse in rush hour and cause gridlock into Putney, more problems for visitors an workers to Queen Mary's and the University, and is very badly thought out.

Liam Jones ● 2861d

Yes, I understand now and you are right so many children.  But you will not be able to turn into Dover Park Drive, Longwood or Dover House Road so it effectively stops access during those hours from the Heath to the Estate. That is why the displacement if it happens will be to Carslake and maybe Tildesley (or even Putney Hill)

Steffi Sutters ● 2861d

The trial is going to prevent access to Dover Park Drive, Dover House Road and Longwood Drive between those times, as they are all feeder roads. Buses will not be affected. The vast majority of the residents are leaving the estate at that time, not coming into it.  It is not correct to say that the majority of rat running along DH road is done by residents, that is not the case, especially during rush hours.  Residents on the estate will not be stopped from leaving at those times.  They will be able to enter from the north end. There are similar timed restrictions like this all over Wandsworth borough to protect residential areas.As we said in our previous response, we had suggested closing/restricting timed access from Roehampton lane on to Medfield St, but that was rejected. If that had happened, then ALL rat running would be have been reduced going west along Putney Heath and in to the feeder roads to URR. WE ARE VERY SORRY THAT WAS NOT DONE WHEN WE SUGGESTED IT.  We had thought that stopping access from Roehampton lane at specific rush hour time would have been the most appropriate thing to do for EVERYONE, not just Dover House residents.  Sadly, it was rejected and therefore we were forced down the route that we took. The Dover House road is straight, which makes it the fastest rat run to go through, although some do also use Dover Park drive/Sunnymead etc to weave through.  We have been talking to the council about all of this for at least 10 years, they had advised us on what is required from any petition we needed to do and we simply followed those requirements.  If the council had wanted or needed to extend the consultation presumably they could have done so, we just did what we were told was required and that did include residences all the way up to Putney Heath, not just the DH estate (which starts at Crestway). If we did not support the shops, then we would not be arguing against the closure of the central exit on to URR in front of the shops, as that could have a detrimental effect on them, as well as increasing rat running along Putney park lane (the residential lane).  We can only think that the closure of the central exit in front of the shops is being suggested, because since Tesco moved in, there have been very large delivery lorries on the URR by that central exit.  A solution would be to either restrict the time that deliveries can occur, or make a proper bay for them to use by taking part of the bank away.  That should have been though through when it was agreed for Tesco to move in.  Prior to that the central exit has been perfectly fine for the previous 70+ years and allows vehicles to get out more easily than they would if they had to only exit on to Dover House road.

Dover House estate Residents Association ● 2861d

Thank you.  I will add your name and comments  to the list of those objecting. I also agree that the parking at the north end is causing all sorts of problems and is a contributory factor in the accidents that occur. Removing parking would unlikely to be supported by residents who would need to be consulted but I will take the idea forward again.  As this is an experimental traffic order I am told that consultation will be during the trial period itself that looks to continually monitor change and can run up to six months but could be stopped earlier.

Steffi Sutters ● 2861d

As a resident of one of the roads off Dover House Road, for more years than I care to remember, I am appalled at this chain of communication. There is so much misinformation/lack of knowledge of any of the background here, that it is apparent it will indeed take the 2 fatalities required before there is any possibility of a final solution. Even then, and even if it was a case of protecting life, I am guessing that there would still be those who would object.There have been numerous accidents/near misses on Dover House Road and anyone walking on that road during the rat running rush hour feels as if they are taking their lives in their hands when doing so. Examples of common problems encountered are motor cycles taking to the pavements to get through the traffic and motorists overtaking queues of vehicles putting pedestrians at risk (especially children and the vulnerable). The residents have been trying to get a resolution to their problem for around 12 years but any solution has so far eluded the combined brains of TFL/traffic engineers who are supposed to be experts in this sort of thing. I might add that on every occasion the residents have done everything asked of them. Funnily enough, over the same period,  I have seen numerous successful schemes gradually introduced in North London to deter rat running.I note that those individuals objecting in this chain are being added to a list of "objectors". I hope that a similar list is being maintained for individuals living in the Dover House areas who are in favour, because I would like to get my name added to that list.

Janis Humberstone ● 2861d

While i understand totally your position, i feel that this is utterly selfish and the lack of consultation in the local area is unfairSo now its apparent that DPD will also be closed, you are in effect shoving all the traffic onto Tildesley Road and Carslake Road, where there are 2 schools. So instead of the same traffic shared between 4 roads it will be all going down 2. But as long as you are ok though, right?I live on Carslake Road and i can tell you that we have not been consulted about this at all, even though its obvious to anyone at WBC that it means all the traffic would end up here; and if they didnt think that then they should not have their jobCan someone please explain why Carslake and Tildesley Road are not having the same rules applied, or at least road bumps put in?I bet you guys on DHR use these roads as a cut through yourselves sometimes as well. But its ok though right?This has actually made me really angry and i truely hope its a failed experiementSteffi, you said 100000% at the Hustings that you would not let it happen that all the traffic come down Carslake Road, what has changed please?

Emarisa Battoia ● 2861d

Janis,  if a resident objects I have to take their comments forward.  In the same way that I have to give due weight to what you say.  The individuals in Dover House who have signed the petition are the ones who are taken as in favour.  It is  their support that has triggered the experimental order. Our highways engineers gave DHERA several possible solutions and the one now on the table is the one that they chose.

Steffi Sutters ● 2861d

Would it just not make sense to apply the same restrictions to all roads along the heath?meaning that if people choose to drive then they are stuck in traffic on Roehampton Lane and Putney Hill?I just don't understand why my road has been left out.The speed of some of the cars already coming down there is bad, and with curves in the road there are many blind spots. and no road bumps

Emarisa Battoia ● 2861d

Liam makes excellent points especially about QMH. DHR isn't a country lane - it's a vital through road and displacing traffic because residents nearby are unhappy about it isn't a good enough reason to close it at any time at all.

Lucille Grant ● 2861d

I think they should and that is what I pushed for and was told would happen. I think Carslake is extremely dangerous and raised this yet again two weeks ago with officers.  I have tried through the contacts I have on the Ashburton with RA's  to let them know of this. I am sorry if you feel I am letting you down but I am doing all I can to ensure fair process within the confines of the council's procedures and I repeat this is only a trial so if the Carslake and Tildesley are badly affected as some of us suspect they will be, then the experiment will be pulled and we will need to rethink. Officers feel that taking Dover House Road et al out of the mix should keep traffic on Roehampton Lane but I have my doubts .

Steffi Sutters ● 2861d

Carslake has  been a rat run for more years than I can remember - it's an awful road to drive as so many cars are driven too fast around the bends.Why not go back to the original plan of 12 years ago Steffi? No turn from Roehampton Lane to Putney Heath during  peak hours? Then there would be no rat running from non Putney residents between the Heath and Upper Richmond Road?

Lucille Grant ● 2861d

I know its not down to you and thanks for your help. Its a mix of who shouts loudest being heard, and the fact that alot of the people living in the Ashburton are renters, short term renters don't really care and more long term renters don't really realise that they can have a voice too. Which is frustratingThanks for the communication on here, its been useful

Emarisa Battoia ● 2861d

As it happens, I know for a fact that the impact on these roads has been subject to consideration in the last 12 years so please do not assume that the DH residents are only concerned about the impact on themselves. They have been shoved from pillar to post over the past 12 years and have had to put up with their fair share of suffering the impact of decisions made to benefit others without being consulted eg the CPZ at the top end of Dover House Road (around the big houses which already have plenty of off road parking);closure of the gate in Richmond Park (which I approve of); and access to the hospital from Crestway in the full knowledge of the parking problems this would create.By the way, not sure how DHR residents could be using the road they live on as a  cut through but speaking for myself I WALK everywhere locally even to do shopping !!

Janis Humberstone ● 2861d

Thanks for this reply - as long as both sides have a chance to give their views on the success or otherwise  of the trial, and that the objections of the few  will not be given greater weight than others, that is all I am concerned about.  I just seem to recall that a pedestrian crossing at Crestway was halted, apparently because of an objection from just one person.

Janis Humberstone ● 2861d

Janis, i meant people living on DHR using Carslake as a cut through actually and i bet they do at times to avoid the bottleneck at the bottom of DHRI too walk everywhere, so my anger is about the safety of people especially the school children

Emarisa Battoia ● 2861d

I am still very concerned that it is being spoken about as 'just a trial'.  Will the patients going to Queen Mary's for their 8am appointment be aware of this 'trial', or will they just suddenly find their route taken away from them, and risk not being seen because they arrived too late?  Wasting both their time and the Hospital's. At the very least it would be very stressful. All to remedy a problem further down the road.  Sorry but its daft!The Hospital was there long before the Estate was built, so any Dover House resident was well aware of it, and the back entrance gate, when they moved there.

Liam Jones ● 2861d

sorry but that is wrong.

Janis Humberstone ● 2861d

Thanks Emma and understood. Seems to me that as pedestrian safely is also an issue on Dover House Road (and there are plenty of children there) everyone needs to ask themselves whether the safety of pedestrians is more important than the convenience of motorists. As a pedestrian and a motorist I have already asked myself that question and my answer is the safety of pedestrians irrespective of inconvenience. Perhaps everyone should ask themselves that.

Janis Humberstone ● 2861d

In my personal opinion, anyone who drives a car to go to work everyday, or drop the kids at school every day, etc really should not complain about people using their road to drive downIts as simple as thatIt hypocritical to think it ok to drive down someone elses road but not want it on yours(Janis i know you walk, but many DHR residents drive)

Emarisa Battoia ● 2861d

just to clarify, my name is Emarisa (Emma is the English version possibly but i prefer Emarisa if that's ok)

Emarisa Battoia ● 2861d

Actually the pedestrian crossing near Crestway is going ahead.

Steffi Sutters ● 2861d

I will raise this with officers as it is a fair point that many now access the hospital from the rear entrance.

Steffi Sutters ● 2861d

What is wrong?  Do you mean the crossing?  It is most definitely going ahead.  DHERA objected to the siting but officers have done their research on this. I believe it is imminent.

Steffi Sutters ● 2861d

Thanks Steffi. I did know that but it was due to go ahead 2 or 3 years ago !!

Janis Humberstone ● 2861d

.  Clinics start at 8am and a lot of patients and staff use this road to enter via the back entrance to the Hospital in Crestway.Liam, just a point of information please. What times are the back gates to QMH open for cars? I always use this entrance in Crestway but I thought it was for pedestrians only. Thanks

Jane Carter ● 2861d

'Clinics start at 8am and a lot of patients and staff use this road to enter via the back entrance to the Hospital in Crestway'.Jane, I didn't say there was a vehicular entrance at the back gates - but that patients and staff drive and park near the back gates. Just for info, staff do not get any free or discount parking in the Hospital car park.

Liam Jones ● 2861d

I live on Roehampton Lane and the traffic is awful. I certainly don't want more cars diverted onto it. But as long as the DHR NIMBY'S are happy...!

Simon Knight ● 2861d

It is a misrepresentation to claim DHERA objected to the siting of the crossing at Crestway.  We asked for it and did the initial pedestrian counts to show there was a need for one here (given the number of primary school children who cross here) when the Council said there was no need.  We advocated a crossing on the north side of Crestway as this is where most people cross.  The crossing was approved many years ago, but was never implemented, and no reason was ever given.  We had to petition again, and it was only when the Council said that the two bus stops would need to be moved, at enormous expense, that we suggested that the crossing could be put on the south side of the junction where the present pedestrian refuge is sited, to save money and possible detriment to people directly affected by the bus stop moves.  The councillors agreed this was a sensible alternative, but it appears the council is intent on the more expensive option.  We look forward to at least one long overdue crossing point where residents will have priority over traffic.

Dover House estate Residents Association ● 2861d

The Dover House estate was built long before Queen Mary's hospital moved to its current location.  When Queen Mary's was moved residents raised the issue about the rear entrance at the time and the effect it would have on parking.  We were told this was PURELY an emergency access for the hospital and that workers and visitors with vehicles to the hospital would use the main entrance on Roehampton Lane. Whilst it is no problem for people on foot/cycling to use the rear entrance, the reality is that people arrive in their vehicles and use  the rear access, because they can park for free on the Dover House estate.  This has had a very significant  impact on the DH residents. It is a matter of public record that the residents' concerns were swept under the carpet with the statement that if problems did arise they could re revisited "later".

Janis Humberstone ● 2859d

Oh dear, oh dear, talk about the pot calling the kettle black !! Do you not understand that the reason for the massively increased traffic flow on Dover House Road over the past few years has been the diversion of traffic from Roehamption Lane? Who exactly are the Nimbys?

Janis Humberstone ● 2859d

Nowhere do I see an exemption for the 430 bus route - is this being re-routed during the trial period (and, assuming that passes, permanently during those hours?)?As this is a major north-south route serving the residents of Roehampton, surely there is a better solution than the hammer blow of closing this road?  Perhaps putting a traffic light at the junction of the Upper Richmond Road would improve traffic flow and therefore reduce gridlock on DHR?? Otherwise the traffic will be diverted to an already overcrowded Roehampton Lane or Putney Hill - and what happens when there is an accident or closure on either of these main thoroughfares?  We all agree there is too much traffic on our roads, but this will simply increase congestion on roads where there are several schools - and I would suggest that it is an issue which affects a wider community than just Putney or Doverhouse Road.

Susan Carter ● 2855d

I very much doubt bus routes will be affected by these road closures.  I do not believe buses fall under the rat runner category.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2855d

Glad to confirm the bus will not be affected.

Steffi Sutters ● 2855d

Does anyone know when this starts? Living on Carslake Road no one still has been told anything about this?

Emarisa Battoia ● 2855d

I agree Emarisa.  I asked the same question and still waiting for an answer!!!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2855d

Was there any impact assessment carried out after the red rover junction was changed so that, going from East Sheen to Roehampton lane you can no longer turn right but have to follow a convoluted route..?  I enter the URR from near the leisure centre, and in recent times there is loads of traffic waiting to turn right into DHR. This can stop people coming out of DHR, which then also prevents people going in. Perhaps if the red rover junction was returned to how it was, that would help ease DHR north to south. I also agree with previous posters, that Roehampton Lane is an arterial route, and traffic should not be allowed to turn off down Medfield Street.

Clare Noeken ● 2855d

I don’t live in DHR or West Putney but am glad to see Wandsworth Council doing something to try to improve things for pedestrians. DHR is after all a residential street.  I would love to see the council think more strategically about neighbourhoods as a whole, rather than streets in isolation which is very slow and costly, and shifts the burden onto local residents.  In this case that might have helped with concerns over nearby roads. Still, at least something is happening, can get some data on the impact and make further improvements. For an idea of what can be achieved (and is being implemented more quickly in a North London) , google low traffic neighbourhoods and Living Streets.

Ruth Pates ● 2855d

What would the penalty be for transgressors?  Will there be obvious cameras there?  The electronic early morning 'no entry' near Putney Leisure Centre has been a failure ever since the original physical barrier gates were disposed of, and it seems very few people are fined when they ignore the signs.  So it could all be pointless other than confuse a lot of local and school traffic and upset patients en route to Queen Mary's!!And I say again, Dover House Road is a relatively wide, long, straight road built for traffic, and is not a rat run. Yes, it is residential, but so is the nearby Upper Richmond Road which is part of the South Circular!

Liam Jones ● 2854d

Dover House Road is in a conservation area and was built to be residential.  It was not designed, and should not be, a rat run for through traffic.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dover_House_Estate

Clare Noeken ● 2854d

I simply do not understand the comment about hospital patients. The entrance to the hospital is in Roehampton Lane. Why would patients be disrupted by being unable to access Dover House Road between 6am and 9am?

Janis Humberstone ● 2854d

I think his main concern was the people who work at the hospital, the majority of them (including nurses etc) have to pay full rate to use the car park so they park on the Dover House Estate. They will not be able to access this area now if, for example, their shift started at 8am

Emarisa Battoia ● 2854d

The Ashburton was also built to be residential and instead of including us in these plans the council have, in effect, told all traffic to come through our estate insteadIs Granard School aware of this? Are they at least going to get a lollipop person or a zebra crossing?

Emarisa Battoia ● 2854d

So let me get this right. A commercial organisation makes money from NHS staff parking at their place of work (which is not the easiest place to get to by public transport). Instead of the hospital meeting that cost, the burden is transferred to local residents who then find it so difficult to park that they have to consider a CPZ costing £120 a year. If a CPZ were to be introduced, this would force NHS staff to park in the hospital car park at considerable cost.  Surely employers should look after their staff and make sure they can get to work easily especially if they are on early or late shifts.

Janis Humberstone ● 2854d

The NHS make the money from the car park, they then use it to make up the shortfallGenerally

Emarisa Battoia ● 2854d

Queen Mary's is a PFI hospital and all the car park profits go to a private company.

Liam Jones ● 2854d

ok i stand corrected, but seeing as i was trying to explain your point to someone that seemed to resent nurses and patients parking along Crestway, you seem to have shot yourself in the foot a bit here haha!!The bottom line is, i dont agree with the closure of DHR. I would much rather, like some other people, see there be no turning off from Roehampton LaneBut then....i don't like commuters in cars either!

Emarisa Battoia ● 2854d

I haven't been given a date  yet.  The letters will go out shortly from the Council.

Steffi Sutters ● 2854d

Agree that it shouldn’t be a case of choosing between Ashburton and DH estates. Both are residential areas, and should have streets that are more people/pedestrian/cycle friendly. This can be done, and has been done elsewhere in London.

Ruth Pates ● 2854d

Janis: So there's "massively increased traffic flow on DHR".So what? What's so special about DHR that they can foist unwanted traffic back onto Roe'Lane? None of us like living on a busy thoroughfare but DHR isn't a "rat run", it's a bone fide road that should be open to all 24/7 like Roe'Lane.Lastly you cannot in a million years compare traffic volume between the 2 roads.

Simon Knight ● 2854d

Janis: I've been busy so missed your post. Scroll up a bit to read.

Simon Knight ● 2854d

As a resident at the top end of Dover Park Drive, I do not support this proposal. Was it also DHERA who influenced our taxes being spent on the seemingly unecessary and expensive kerbing at the bottom of Putney Lane? If so, their little bottom end of DHR clique are getting to be a pain in the DHERA-ière. They don't speak for me.

Roy Robart ● 2854d

We certainly do not think West Putney residents should be pitched against each other, which is why 10 years ago DHERA suggested putting a morning rush hour time restriction from Roehampton Lane to prevent turning on to Medfield St and Ponsonby (and potentially Roehampton High St).  This would have SOLVED THE ISSUE for ALL RAT RUN roads, i.e. Medfield St, Carslake, Tildesley, DHR, however the council rejected it.  At that time Ponsonby was made one-way, which then made it even worse for Medfield St. & Treville St.  TfL, who are responsible for Roehampton Lane, have admitted that through traffic should remain on their roads, and should not be rat running through adjacent residential areas. However, they’ve done little to help, and seem to prefer to let Dover House Road be used to take the pressure off their road network.  Perhaps the impact of the trial scheme will finally prompt TfL to improve management of Roehampton Lane.DHE/Westmead residents had no choice, but to continue to fight for their areas.  The action taken was all validated by the council traffic team who did their own traffic surveys as well and they came up with the proposal for the trial, which COUNCILLORS APPROVED (they do not have to approve it, they chose to approve it).DHE residents were not consulted when a CPZ was implemented on roads south of Crestway which has had a detrimental effect on DHE parking and encouraged even more commuters to come and park on the estate.  It is very interesting to hear that Cllr Sutters wishes to broaden the area for consultation regarding the morning time restriction trial, but when the CPZ was done, the DHE residents were not consulted at all. Similarly, the councillors were not intending to consult all the DHE/Westmead residents about the change to the flow of traffic at the shop front - only the shops and residents above/next to them, even though making the flow of traffic one-way across the shops and closing the central exit will affect the traffic on DHE and Westmead area.  HOW CAN IT BE THAT IN SOME CASES 5000 RESIDENCES CAN BE INFORMED, BUT ON OTHER OCCASIONS, PEOPLE LIVING IN A NEIGHBOURING ROAD CANNOT?We still believe the better solution for the rat running was the one we proposed 10 years ago, but as that was rejected, we are going with what we have finally been able to achieve.  There is no perfect solution, but we are happy to engage in a constructive dialogue with any local residents who are concerned about the traffic situation in west Putney, and want to find a solution that brings maximum benefit for the maximum number of local residents.

Dover House estate Residents Association ● 2854d

Dear Roy Robart, Most of the residents polled on Westmead estate were in favour of the morning time restriction, we understand you may not be. Regarding Putney Park Lane, DHERA certainly did not request the high kerbs that have been implemented. We requested something in keeping with the rustic nature of the lane to be done to reduce the volume of speeding cars on the lane and for it to be sympathetically implemented.  Some simple bollards or tree trunks, a few 10mph speed signs and a second gate would have been fine and much less expensive.  We are as upset about what has been done (and the cost) as you are and we are working with the Putney Society to resolve.

Dover House estate Residents Association ● 2854d

What they have done to Putney Park Lane is an embarrassment

Emarisa Battoia ● 2854d

Actually Queen Mary’s Hospital is well served by public transport, having 4 bus routes stopping on Roehampton Lane, and the 430 bus for those who wish to enter via Crestway. I live mid way down Huntingfield Road yet hospital staff regularly park in front of my house. Perhaps it is Liam or his “friend”.

Lisa Cottam ● 2854d

For a video ow what is possible have a look at https://www.sustrans.org.uk/liveable-neighbourhoods. I am not suggesting this a a solution for West Putney, just some ideas. Reading through this thread it is striking how much local residents/DHERA  have had to do over a very long time to get this pilot. The more we can learn from each other and work together the better.  Now that other boroughs are leading the way, maybe Wandsworth will feel encouraged to take action to build liveable, low-traffic neighbourhoods

Ruth Pates ● 2853d

Dear Lisa, by "friend" did you mean me? Me who has never met Liam in his lifeDo you drive? If so - then at some point have you ever parked on someone else's road?Just saying...

Emarisa Battoia ● 2853d

Just watched the video from your link, Ruth. What a breath of fresh air! It is obvious the residents have a much better quality of life since the road was closed, and shopkeepers are also seeing improved trade.

Lisa Cottam ● 2853d

Dear Ruth, I was in despair about the ill informed and frankly spiteful responses I had seen expressed in this thread, but your calm and measured response has restored my faith that there are people out there, who are prepared to listen and engage with others.

Janis Humberstone ● 2853d

Ruth I also sent the link to all 4 emails contained in the first post of this thread, and expressed my support for the trial closure. I hope others in favour of improving our estate will do likewise, to counter the objections of those not living here.

Lisa Cottam ● 2853d

I agree, it is a lovely vision and i also agreed with Ruths other post about making places more cycle friendlyDespite what Janis says about people picking on her, i think the main objection is that the traffic is going to be forced onto your neighbours roads (Tildesley and Carslake) which are much smaller and winding roads, and that the Council should have just closed all these roads between these hoursSo please, dont think people are against you.However, i would like to point out that in the video link Ruth provided, there are a lot of parked cars. And while i understand that these belong to the residents i am sure that they also drive them, and i am sure that they also drive them down other peoples roads. Everyone who drives, especially those who drive to work u (without needing to) and who drops their children to school etc, is part of the problem. So its a bit selfish to tell people not to drive down your road but its ok for you to drive down other peoples (plenty of cars parked on DHR and so i am sure lots of drivers)May be worth thinking about that next time one or two of you are sat in your cars :)

Emarisa Battoia ● 2853d

Emarisa - We really do understand your frustration that Carslake is not having a trial restriction.  As we have tried to explain, we wanted to have the exit from Roehampton Lane into Medfield St closed at peak morning times, so that rat running off ALL of the roads on Putney Heath would be reduced, but very sadly that was rejected.  We have done counts of traffic going in to Carslake from east and west direction which we can share with you and we can do them again when the trial is on, so we know the difference.  Could we arrange to meet with you to discuss all this?  It was not possible to email you directly via the forum - please would you email us at dhera.london@gmail.com and we can arrange to meet.  Thank You.

Dover House estate Residents Association ● 2853d

Many residents weren't aware of the original Roehampton Lane/Medfield Street original plan, it would appear.  I agree, it sounds much better and more logical than the Dover House Road plan.  Wouldn't it be better to go back to the Council to review the Roehampton Lane/Medfield Street option, in view of latest traffic concerns and local opposition to the Dover House option?  I am sure you would get a lot of support this time around.And please can entries from DHERA be signed by someone?  I'm sure its against Forum rules to just have a faceless organisation contributing?

Liam Jones ● 2852d

I agree with your suggestion Liam - it makes more sense for all residents affected in DHE and West Putney to apply the Roehampton Lane/Medfield Street option and it would be good to know why it was rejected by the council originally.

Lucille Grant ● 2852d

Thanks, it would be great if we could discuss in more detail as I don't really know the historyI'll drop you an email tomorrow when I am back at work and have proper internet accessThanks for your message x

Emarisa Battoia ● 2852d

A number of you have raised this question. The answer is that officers looked at a no right turn from Roehampton Lane but it was rejected by TfL and as we need their approval for any measures off Roehampton Lane, we had to drop this option.  This was fully explained to DHERA.  I hope this helps.

Steffi Sutters ● 2851d

Thanks for update Steffi - it might appear that TfL are quite happy for Putney roads going east from Roehampton Lane be used as rat runs then!

Lucille Grant ● 2851d

....and of course there is no right turn for traffic coming from East Sheen (on Upper Richmond Road)and wanting to turn into Roehampton Lane, so that leads to queues waiting to turn into Dover House Road instead.  But then I have been less than impressed with TFL's performance on anything I have seen them do, and yet no one seems to challenge them.

Janis Humberstone ● 2851d

Janice I'm guessing drivers not in the know don't turn right into Priory Lane (leading to clogging up Clarence Lane) and then joining Roehampton Lane? Or maybe they do know and it's just too long for them waiting for the traffic lights to change at the top of Clarence Lane! Surely it would make more sense for traffic to turn right from Upper Richmond Road East into Roehampton Lane than either Priory Lane or Dover House Road.

Lucille Grant ● 2851d

Sorry Janis - I misspelled your name

Lucille Grant ● 2851d

Lucille, it was very sweet of you to apologise. Luckily I am not too precious about the way I am addressed, unless it is something designed to insult, which this was clearly not !!

Janis Humberstone ● 2851d

Good to know! I've lost count of the number of times  my name has been misspelled or I'm called Louise lol

Lucille Grant ● 2851d

V. hard to understand their thinking much of the time.  Jane Cooper and I have spent a lot of time trying to get them to make some quite simple changes to Roe Lane to promote better traffic flow but have managed to achieve v. little sadly.

Steffi Sutters ● 2850d

sounds like it is worth another go, especially as TfL are now (supposedly) supporting healthy streets, quieter residential roads and active travel. I am sure that there are also things that Wandsworth could do to more enable walking and cycling, and prioritise people on residential roads.

Ruth Pates ● 2850d

We have tried all those in the past. I suppose it is just a case of being in the right place when someone in power decides to run with one of these options as one of their "initiatives".

Janis Humberstone ● 2849d

Thanks, Steffi - in which case, please add my voice as per my comment of 18 Jan further below. DHERA's proposals are not a fix.

Roy Robart ● 2847d

I'm new to this discussion and haven't read all 100+ threads so apologies if someone has already said what I am about to say.  I understand, as part of the Doverhouse Road one way proposal, that it is also proposed to make the Roehampton Parade sliproad into one way entering from the east and exiting west into Doverhouse Road, the central exit being closed. Already, there's very often a queue of cars and buses wanting to exit Doverhouse Road into the Upper Richmond Road and that's going to make it very difficult for cars to exit from the slip road and cause problems for  shops at the East end of the slip road.

Robert Davenport ● 2847d

It's worth reading the thread Robert.

Lucille Grant ● 2847d

The Whole idea stinks, especially access to & from the Parade!Also how are the Residents of DH Rd  going to be able to use their Cars/ Vans at these times.Another Crap idea is putting the Bollard at the Junction of URR it’s made things worse!!

Vic Condon ● 2847d

Dear DHERA We did some checking on your prior application which was rejected 10 years ago.  Since our research did not match up with many of the points you outline below, we thought it important to respond with a bit of history. Primarily, you conveniently fail to mention that your previous application was rejected by Director of Technical Services for Wandsworth (Mr. Myers) who stated “It is also important that traffic is not simply displaced on adjacent residential roads.”  A few other corrections to your note below  are important: 2.  “Rat running”.  Doverhouse Rd is significantly wider than its neighbouring Roehampton and Putney streets.  Rat running will be what the displaced traffic is called as it tries to navigate through the narrow and winding neighbouring streets that simply will not be able to accommodate this additional traffic during the 6 month traffic “experiment”.  3.  DHERA’s previous application for road closure (Paper no 07-15) only asked to ban “traffic turning right off Roehampton Lane into Ponsonby Road, Medfield Street and Rodway Road".  We don’t understand why you say that DHERA had applied to stop traffic running “through all the roads from Putney Heath”.  5.  Clearly, all residents in roads with heavy use,  if solicited with similar petitions, could obtain 90% or higher agreement to ban traffic on their roads.  Just because DHERA has done so does not mean that it is right to “experiment” for 6 months by diverting traffic on to smaller roads. 6 & 8.  It is untrue that the shops will be unaffected.  Many of the  shops open well before 9:00 am and their critical morning sales will decline if this "experiment" is carried out.  Shop owners in the Parade do not agree with your statements. All of us hate traffic (and the planes) that plague Putney, but by shifting traffic to smaller streets that will be unable to cope while DHERA conducts a 6 to 18 month “traffic experiment” is an injustice to all neighbouring residents who rely on Wandsworth Council to engage properly with its citizens.  A  community wide review should be conducted -  and consulted on -  without regard to any  pressure group involvement.    We will be alerting other neighbours to the displacement of traffic that your scheme will cause,  as well as contacting our local MP.

Nicola Ozanne ● 2842d

Well said Nicola - but who is 'we'? I agree that this experiment has a knock on and possible far reaching effects on streets in West Putney that is not yet being taken into account fully by WBC.

Lucille Grant ● 2842d

There is no such thing as a "rat run",  simply public highways which we all finance, and private roads funded by the residents who use them.  Blocking these roads to satisfy a minority of favoured residents only creates problems for others, quite literally, down the road. I regularly use DHR, and notice the large number of residents' cars parked on either side of it, impeding the buses and cars that use this route to avoid a busy Roehampton Lane.There seems to be a great deal of hypocrisy here, with little thought for those employed at/attending one of the largest University campuses in Europe, and a busy hospital, who will be hugely inconvenienced by this trial, in an area that is already a public transport "black hole".

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2842d

I have just read the whole thread and am contributing for the first time. As someone who lives very close to Carslake Road, which I use many times a day, the number of near accidents I witness is terrifying. The thought of increased traffic on this busy road with a large school is frankly horrific. The solution seems so obvious. I just can't understand why the council are not treating Carslake, Tildesley and Doverhouse in exactly the same way - all the roads should be closed between 6-9am if accidents and congestion are to be avoided throughout the whole of West Putney.

Serena White ● 2841d

How can it be said that the area is a transport black hole? I have always found public transport more than sufficient. Living on the Dover House Estate, the last time my car moved was at Christmas to travel to family in Norfolk. We drive in London only when absolutely necessary, but do need to park our car on the street like most residents of the estate, having no off street parking. The trial closure is no inconvenience for those traveling to the University or hospital, unless they choose to drive there.

Lisa Cottam ● 2840d

I agree. We gave up our car many years ago and joined Zipcar (or Streetcar as it was then). I hardly drive now. Many areas I thought were difficult to reach or transport black holes turn out to be easily reachable on public transport. Can’t recommend the Citymapper app highly enough for working out speediest way to get around - does London and other cities you may visit.  All comes back to how we want to make best use of our streets.

Ruth Pates ● 2839d

This is true but Roehampton is poorly served by public transport, apart from buses. No tube or train link without using a bus, bike or car.

Lucille Grant ● 2839d

I would like to know if the council are recording traffic volumes on west Putney roads against a baseline from before the dover house changes. It does seem to me that there are more vehicles using the West Putney roads.  Also they seem more aggressive. Predominantly school run mums and vans I think.Being positive: Putney park lane is fantastic because it prevents East- West traffic,  is a green haven, and a fantastic traffic free link up to Wimbledon Common. I love it.

Alan Sherman ● 2839d

I have just received a letter from the council (dated 27 Feb) stating that they will not be going ahead with the proposed traffic restrictions but are commissioning a traffic management review of the whole of West Putney. Residents are promised the opportunity to “feed into” this review. They repeat the TfL refusal to allow banned turns off Roehampton Lane (i.e. at Medfield St) but surely they need to challenge this if the review is to have any effect. I am assuming all West Putney residents will be getting this letter.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2807d

I agree Jonathan - the crux is the turn at Medfield Street during rush hour periods.

Lucille Grant ● 2807d

InterestingIt is not just Medfield St that is the problem, it is also Putney Hill. Those cars tend to zoom down the Heath and either go down Carslake zig zagging to get to Putney Bridge, or they go down DHR to URRIdeally it would be great to have no entry at each end of Putney Heath for peak hours each dayI met with DHERA recently and some of the plans they originally proposed made a lot of sense and would not cause the people living in the area (or their visitors) any real problemIt would be great if WBC would have a look at the proposals in more detail xx

Emarisa Battoia ● 2807d

That's true about Putney Hill and Carslake.

Lucille Grant ● 2807d

Meanwhile as a resident living the North end of Roehampton Lane I'm delighted that DHR's traffic won't be foisted onto us.

Simon Knight ● 2807d

I hope it doesn’t take another 12 years for the council to come up with a solution to the West Putney transport issues. Allowing DHR to revert to previous rat running misery doesn’t really address the problem.

Ruth Pates ● 2805d

There were some very obfuscated statements in the letter notifying residents of the decision to pull the trial measure which has taken 12 years to arrive at.

Janis Humberstone ● 2803d