Tibbet's Corner Roundabout - Improvements at the jucntion with Wimbledon Parkside

The Council have drawn up proposals to deal with the very high flows of vehicles wishing to enter Wimbledon Parkside from Tibbet's Corner.  These include some cycle tracks on Withycombe Road/Princess Way near this junction.   Here is our response to these proposals:

Thanks for sending the revised proposals for measures to improve conditions for traffic moving from West Hill into Wimbledon Parkside (plans OS-CES-JS-994731-051/4).  I am responding on behalf of Wandsworth Cycling Campaign.

In general, we feel that the proposals represent an improvement over current conditions in a very difficult environment.  Ideally, we would wish to see the main junctions signalised together with surface-level crossings to enable full permeability for non-motor traffic. 

On the roundabout itself, the introduction of the ghost island to manage the orderly merging of vehicular traffic ahead of the junction with Wimbledon Parkside appears a reasonable solution.  We note that the 'left turn' lane entering the roundabout from West Hill is narrowed to 3.6 m by means of the ghost island.  The use of a 'slow' marking here is clearly indicated.  Since some cyclists may choose to use this lane (e.g. because they  wish to maintain speed) we feel that the use of centrally positioned cycle logos in this lane will further increase safety by discouraging unsafe overtakes.

For south-bound cyclists travelling between West Hill and Parkside (or wishing to use the track alongside the A3) Withycombe Road/Princess Way seems to represent a viable alternative to the use of the roundabout. For this to work, the access from the carriageway on West Hill would need to be well-signed and very well engineered to enable cyclists to move into Princess Way without needing to delay on the carriageway itself either to give way to pedestrians or to negotiate a kerb or upstand.  The current geometry of the turn just beyond the bus stop is too tight and will need a high-quality dropped kerb (that is, absolutely flush, in accordance with best practice) installed.  We therefore suggest that the current provision is reviewed and upgraded as part of this scheme.  Similarly, provision for cyclists travelling north along Withycombe Road/Princess Way and wishing to continue down West Hill may need to be re-examined to enable simple access to the underpass.    

The new cycle track arrangements at the Junction of Withycome Road with Wimbledon Parkside appear to be an improvement over current arrangements, albeit possibly capable of simplification (a shared use area with good asphalt surface might replace the multiplicity of tracks with a reduction in installation and maintenance costs).   Cyclists wishing to travel into Parkside are led out at the mouth of the junction with Oatlands Court.  With the re-location of the large traffic sign, this is likely to be a workable solution.

One important general point we would make is that, for the off-carriageway cycle tracks and underpasses to be usable, they will need to be included in maintenance and gritting contracts to the same extent as the carriageway.  For example, for a prolonged period late last year the entire Tibbet's Corner area was impassible to walkers and cyclists using the off-road tracks.

Finally, we ask that these proposals are carefully monitored post-implementation.

Parking restrictions near junctions in Elco Street, Howie Street, Parkgare Road and Rush Hill Road SW11

In TMO1191 the Council propose replacing single yellow lines with double yellow lines in the immediate vicinity of junctions in these streets to deter parking at these points.   WCC supports these proposals which will improve visibility at junctions.

New kerb buildouts on North Drive near Colson Way SW16

In proposal ref OS/EDS/TM/005150 Maryrose Page of the Operational Services team sets put plans to deter obstructive parking by the introduction of kerb buildouts on North Drive (the quiet road parallel to Tooting Beck Road) just west of the junction with Colson Way. The buildouts will also form a crossing point for pedestrians on the path to the bus stop on Tooting Bec Road.

WCC are supporting these proposals since they improve conditions for pedestrians, improve visibility at the junction (by eliminating parked cars). They will act to some extent as a pinch point, but, since the road is narrow and very heavily parked, we feel that cyclists will naturally be positioned in the centre of the lane and so will not be squeezed at the narrowing.

Crossovers in Erpingham Road SW15, Fountain Road SW17 and Sudbrooke Road SW12

TMO 1198 covers the installation of pavement crossovers to allow parking in front gardens on the above roads.  WCC has no objections.

Removal of car park in Frogmore SW18

TMO 1197 will have the effect of removing parking on the off-road car park in Frogmore opposite the Panorama Antennas factory.  The Council are selling the site for development.
WCC has no views on this proposal since it does not affect conditions for cycling.

Formalisation of taxi rank outside Southfields Station SW18

TMO 1196 proposes making the current unofficial taxi rank on Wimbledon Park Road outside the station into a formal rank.  This will involve moving the bus stop and shelter a few metres to the north. 

WCC do not have any objections to the proposals since they appear not to change the conditions for cycling very much if at all.  This is quite a narrow rad at this point, and there is a hazard to cyclists from taxis and buses setting off into the path of northbound cyclists.  Whilst the proposals will not make things any better, they don't look as if they will make them worse either.

New footway crossovers in Baskerville Road SW18 and Sudbrooke Road SW12

TMO 1195 proposes one new pavement crossover (removal of parking, dropped kerb installation etc.) to allow cars into front-garden parking spaces.

WCC will not object to this proposal.

WCC policy has been to be neutral on such proposals.  As an environmentalist, I personally think they are a bad idea, since they are part of the process whereby gardens are paved over and get turned into car parks.  This contributes the rain run-off flooding the sewage system and is part of the reason why Thames Water want to dig their new tunnel under the Thames.  They also potentially increase hazards for pedestrians, particularly when the cars in the gardens jut out onto the pavement.

However, they have little impact in purely cycling terms, hence our policy of neutrality.  What do you think? Add a comment below.

St Martin's Way SW17 - No parking opposite juctions

TMO 1194 proposes 'at any time' parking restrictions opposite the two private car park entrances in St. Martin's Way.
WCC support the proposals as they reduce potential hazard at junctions.

Rip van who?

After a short break of almost four years I'm back with all the latest riveting news from our Council's Technical Services Department.  I'm hoping that, amongst the steady stream of traffic management orders and scheme consultation notices, there will be things that are of concern to some of you out there.  If you see something that affects you directly, then get campaigning.  Let us know what you think and let the Council know too.

Mike

To respond to a Wandsworth Traffic Management Order contact:
Clare Harris, Traffic Orders Officer
The Town Hall
Wandsworth High Street
London SW18 2PU

Phone: 020 8871 6691
charris at wandsworth gov uk