Thread by @charliecycling

1/23 THREAD. I observed a family having to use a wheelchair in the middle of the road on this rat-run route. I describe the disgrace of this. And offer a potential solution.

Llanover Rd, Wembley
@ShamaTatler @kkrupas @MAsgharButt2 @Brent_Council

2. The pavements are narrow. And occupied by parked cars

3. And other obstacles

4. Can a couple meander casually along side-by-side? Yes, but only if they're in a car

5. It's too difficult to walk along the pavement. Perhaps if I turn sideways I may be able to squeeze thru

6. But for people in wheelchairs, parents with prams, people with shopping trolleys or bulky shopping, it's *impossible*

They've no choice but to use the middle of the road

7. And they cannot simply stroll along in their own daydream world. They have to be ultra vigilant of traffic

With every single approaching vehicle, from front and behind, they have to move aside, allowing the vehicle to pass

8. ... before continuing on, in the middle of the road

9. And the traffic is frequent. After all, it's not just local traffic. This minor residential road also serves as a rat-run route for outsider motorists to bypass the main roads

10. Yet this is only one in a web of minor residential roads, all serving as rat-runs. Motorists are spoilt for choice which route they drive

11. So what possible solutions are there?

12. For starters, obviously rat-runs on Llanover Rd should be eliminated.

But won't that divert extra traffic onto adjacent roads?

13. Adjacent roads such as Pembroke Rd certainly won't appreciate extra rat-running traffic. They already have the same problems, with no space for people to traverse their own pavements

14. So look at the wider area. Make it a #LowTrafficNeighbourhood. At the right zoom level, Google Maps helpfully indicates where the boundaries could be

15. At approx 1 square mile, bisected by the Bakerloo line, the LTN size is just right.

Not too big: Residents within the LTN can comfortably reach nearby main roads.

Not too small: Effective enough not to have rat-running in between, and discourages local driving journeys

16. If we agree with that, then finer details can easily be worked out – such as where to put filtering points, and what types

17. Principles of LTNs are explained well in this @livingstreets @London_Cycling pdf guide 👉🏽 livingstreets.org.uk/media/3844/lcc…

18. Essential that #InclusiveTravel is enabled, for people with mobility issues to travel safely and with improved independence

#Equality #EqualityAct

19. Local residential roads will then become quieter, nicer and with more space for people to socialise with their neighbours and safer for kids to play outside their homes. And better air quality.

20. Enhanced safer mobility for disabled people also improves safety & comfort for cycling & walking in the area including to King Edwards & Vale Farm & Barham parks. And easier access to the High Road shops and other boundary main roads

21. People who would usually find the new #HarrowRoadCycleLane too difficult to get to, can suddenly find a safe route to access it, opening up a wider range and longer safer journeys

22. East Lane can be easily accessed. A wide road with scope for its own future protected cycle lanes, enabling safer routes for kids to its several schools. And beyond

23. What do you think? What's good and what's not? And why? What problems do you foresee? What concerns do you have? What questions? 🤔