On the Cycle Enfield website the introductory page for the A105 consultation has been revised and now has a "visualisation" of how Palmers Green Triangle might look after implementation of the cycle lanes scheme. The option that is illustrated is the one that retains the Triangle traffic island.
On the Cycle Enfield website the As the Council has emphasised from the outset, the proposals include improvements not just for cyclists, but also for other road users. The Triangle proposals, for example, would provide safer and more convenient crossings for pedestrians.
Key to artist's impression (source: cycleenfield.co.uk/have-your-say/a105-scheme-consultation)
- Palmers Green Triangle - a more people-friendly Triangle with less clutter. more greenery and easier access including a new crossing on Green Lanes
- If the scheme goes ahead. co-design workshops could be held for the community to influence the specific look and feel of be Triangle. including public art and interpretive signage celebrating the history of the Triangle
- Cycle lanes in both directions provide an attractive and safe environment
- Decluttered and reorganised pavements to improve the public realm
- New trees and greenery could be planted to improve the attractiveness of the Triangle area and create more of a 'place' function.
- Seating retained and enhanced in the Triangle.
- Advanced Stop Line (ASL) for cyclists at signalised junctions.
- Original features such as the old signpost retained in the new layout to celebrate the heritage of the Triangle
- New wide crossing provided across Green Lanes to enhance pedestrian movement in the area
- Raised table road treatment to visually highlight pedestrian priority in the area
- On-street parking incorporated along Green Lanes. Increased parking in a redesigned Lodge Drive car park.
- Right turn lane moved to south of the island to accommodate pedestrian crossing on Green Lanes
Further information about this option can be found on the same page in the "Improved Public Spaces" section:
The Palmers Green Triangle would be transformed into a more people-friendly space with wider pavements, better quality surface treatments, more seating and other public amenity. There would be more greenery included with new trees and flowerbeds. The space would be decluttered by removing guardrails and any redundant street furniture. All of these measures should result in the Triangle feeling more like an attractive ‘place’ rather than a busy junction. The old clock and signposts would be retained. Public art and interpretive signage would potentially be added to celebrate the history of the Triangle.
The "Dutch Roundabout" option
The same section also makes a brief reference to the second option for the Triangle:
An alternative layout has been proposed which would see the Triangle replaced with a roundabout type design. It would be a Dutch style ‘shared-space’ roundabout with priority crossings for pedestrians and cyclists acting in a similar way to Zebra crossings but without as many signs and road markings.
The lack of detail about the roundabout option suggests that it may no longer be a serious option. It has been criticised not only by many people who regard the Triangle island as the sacrosanct heart of Palmers Green and by "Save Our Green Lanes" (who apparently wish to see no changes whatever to the A105), but also by some cycling campaigners, who say that the proposed design is not a true "Dutch roundabout" and would in fact be hazardous for cyclists.
Response to various criticisms of the proposals
The revised introductory page also has sections responding to some of the concerns that have been raised about the scheme, eg the effects on parking, pedestrians, bus passengers. We will look at these in a separate article.
The consultation
Residents have until 9th October to respond to the consultation. The online questionnaire includes detailed drawings for each section of the route. Responding in detail could take some time, but it is possible to interrupt the form-filling and save your comments up to that point. It is also possible to download a large PDF file containing all the drawings.
Large-scale paper versions of the drawings are on permanent display at the Civic Centre and can be viewed from 9am to 5pm each day. Cycle Enfield will be at the Enfield Town Show this weekend - Saturday 12th September and Sunday 13th September from 11am to 6pm.
