Thread by @m_abellansm

THREAD - Browning Avenue area #LTN. Ahead of the launch on Monday 21st September hopefully this helps clarify a lot of the questions I have received about this scheme #LDNStreetSpace.

Firstly I appreciate that many are skeptical & don't think it will work. That's why this is a trial. I will be monitoring the situation and pushing for any adjustments when necessary, including lobbying for more money if needed.

It will take time for this scheme to bed in before residents see the full benefits but if it becomes clear that it doesn't work it will be removed. The public consultation page will be up once the scheme is in place.

We are trying to achieve the following: 1) Improve safety on Browning Avenue and in the surrounding roads by reducing traffic levels and speeds. 2) Make the area more pleasant, quieter and safer for children. 3) Reduce the number of non-resident vehicles cutting through the area.

To achieve that we are trialling: 1) A bus gate on Browning Avenue between Dorchester Road and Lindsay Road. A bus gate will close this short area of road to all traffic except buses, cyclists and emergency vehicles. It will be enforced with a CCTV camera.

2) No entry point in Lincoln Road from Green Lane to all traffic except emergency services, pedestrians and cyclists. These proposals are based on concerns from residents about the increasing traffic volume and
speed in roads locally.

The Council has already installed traffic calming measures and a 20mph zone but some people have told us more should be done to tackle speeding in Browning Avenue and the road being used as a cut-through.

We want to test whether by removing most of the cars merging in from side streets, especially Green Lane, and joining the main road sooner, traffic flows can be improved. Some coming from further afield might decide to avoid Central road...

others will adjust travel at a less congested time, switch to public transport or stop making particular trips. I have been provided snippets of data/information by officers over the Summer despite requesting a comprehensive brief for many weeks.

The attached is a traffic count done on Browning Avenue from 26/02/2019 which I received recently. It shows that Northbound journeys (towards Green Lane and especially at peak times) are the main problem.

The attached illustrates that on average between 20% and 25% of cars on Browning Avenue are travelling above the speed limit. It also shows that a total of over 28,519 cars travelled on this road weekday.

I have also received bus times for the X26 and 213 as they operate in the area & pass under the railway bridge at Worcester Park station. This helps us understand traffic flows on the A2043.

Over the coming weeks highways officers will be monitoring traffic at key locations especially Browning Avenue, Cheam Common Road/A2043, Green Lane, Ruskin Drive and Lindsay road among others.

I have asked officers to act swiftly & make necessary adjustments if some roads are disproportionally affected, to keep ward Councillors informed so they can help pass on the info to residents.

We will be discussing this further on 1st October at E&N and I will be more than happy to attend, with the relevant officers, the next Cheam North & Worcester Park Local Committee on 22nd October.