Barnet's long term transport strategy

 I had a few thoughts to note while reading Barnet's long term transport strategy.

Here is what the corporate plan 21-24 says about cycle routes:

"– Developing a cycle network to major destinations in the borough
without impeding busy and narrow traffic routes"

As if cycle lanes would impede anything!

Why "traffic" which I take to mean cars, is busy, is because they are in their cars and not on bikes!  Why would you say they impede traffic?

Only 1 cycle lane has been built, on the very wide A1000 road. Even then part of it was shunted onto the pavement making it unsafe and badly constructed.

"Using enforcement to increase compliance and support smooth and
safe traffic movement."

I see very little enforcement.  When I am out and about I am anxious to see cars parked on the pavement, some legally, some illegally.  Sometimes it's not just cars but vans, tipper trucks and larger vehicles too.  They block the pavement and do not smooth the journey for walking and cycling traffic.  They make the whole borough unsafe to travel.

"Promoting and continuing to roll out electric vehicle charging points
and car clubs"

Unfortunately I have not driven for years because car clubs have not reached my part of the world.  There is one van rental near Capitol Way and a car hire in Brent Cross area. There are many car dealerships which I never visit because I do not own or wish to own one. A car club on my street would encourage people to go car-free and use it for convenience when it is needed which is less than you would think.

Not all roads are council run

but many are, such as the A1000.  There are traffic signals operated by TfL.  Amazingly, the tube is maintained by the Council which explains the pigeons all over Burnt Oak tube station.

 

Urban

The West of the Borough is designed in the strategy as urban in nature with similar high population densities to inner London.  This is sneaky because inner London has been hollowed out because of unaffordable prices and empty homes.  Everyone knows that this part of the borough is suburban in nature.  The MP says so, but is quick to blame the Labour mayor and assembly for everything that Boris Johnson left behind as mayor. It is a very recent and current phenomenon that tower blocks are being built there.  In some parts, such as Stone Grove, tower blocks were actually demolished and replaced with medium rise of about 6 storeys.  That area was lucky enough to have a residents association which campaigned hard to reject plans for something taller proposed by developers.

 

Passing through

My transport campaigner friends in Haringey, Camden, and Islington have complained to me that many anti-social drivers found there have started their journey in Barnet.

Narrative

The West of the Borough has lowest car ownership, correlating with income, but suffers the most severe air pollution.  I recommend that the narrative places the residents of the West of the Borough as the active agents for change, by celebrating their work and amplifying their advocacy for the area.  Groups such as Burnt Oak Residents Association might play a role, or the organisation Living Streets which historically had a presence here.

 

Freight

The strategy does not mention that freight can be carried by e-bikes and cargo bikes.  It does not mention the Council's work on consolidation hubs for the high street, and last mile delivery.   Meanwhile Royal Mail group has dragged its feet and been left behind investments in electric vans while DPD and amazon flood the streets.  This did not stop Royal Mail paying obscene salaries and dividends.

 

Here is a photo of me moving some compost on my cargo bike from West Hendon to my compost heap in Burnt Oak.

One More Thing

I have said for years that Labour's policy on 20 mph zones is weak.  When they got into power people realised that residents do not have a single way to request the zones, it's not clear how wide they would be, and how the Council would react to any objections because some residents aren't in favour.  In the climate emergency, the Council hasn't really made the case for them, and has been delaying so badly they may as well be Tory climate deniers.  So residents have pressured them to get on with implementing some.  I would struggle to find a 20 mph scheme implemented in the 1st year of the administration.  Some roads have appeared with 20 mph on the main roads and then signs saying 30 mph on the side roads which is obviously ridiculous and residents have rightly pointed out.  What's needed is a clear process for applying for these zones with an online form.  They could be judged against criteria.  I've been saying for a long time that everywhere where people live, work, and shop, should be a 20 mph area.  It's totally unclear how wide that goes and could confuse drivers as they constantly change. (which is no bad thing)