News
NEWS RELEASE - 15th July 2009
WANDSWORTH COUNCILLORS TO BE GIVEN FREE HEARING AIDS BY LOCAL RESIDENTS GROUP
On Wednesday 22nd July at Audiology House, 45 Nightingale Lane, SW12 local residents, schools and businesses will present Wandsworth Councillors with an over 800 signature petition and free hearing aids. The Nightingale Neighbourhood Association (TNNA) is angry at Wandsworth Council which has for years been deaf to demands to impose more appropriate traffic calming measures along Nightingale Lane. The road is a busy ‘B’ road running through the heart of conservation areas with the worst of both worlds - heavy traffic and speed bumps. The group are hoping the petition and gift of free hearing aids will help Councillors hear their demands loud and clear.
PHOTOCALL
At 8.30am, Wednesday 22nd July Wandsworth Councillor Sarah McDermott will be presented with free hearing aids and an 800 signature petition on the steps of Audiology House, Nightingale Lane, SW12 by representatives of local businesses, residents and schools. Local school children will hold up balloons declaring “20 mph Please” and “Ban the bumps” slogans. An antique ear trumpet will be used to present the petition at the photocall. Those attending the photocall will include Rt Hon Sadiq Khan Tooting MP, Martin Linton Battersea MP and pop star Luke Pritchard(TBC) from chart topping band The Kooks who grew up in the area.
Campaigners are calling for the immediate removal of speed bumps and replacement with safer, quieter and more effective measures to slow speeding heavy traffic. Their demands include a 20mph speed limit, a cycle lane and enhanced pedestrian safety.
Following a serious accident last November, when a local mum was mown down by a speeding out of control cement mixer whilst walking along the pavement at the bottom end of the lane, the residents’ campaign has strengthened. The group has been trying to work with the Council and diligently campaigned for removal of the bumps and replacement with alternative measures for many years. Support for change is so strong TNNA believes it is now incumbent upon the Council both to listen and to act.
Carole Jenkinson, Headmistress of Broomwood Upper School, Nightingale Lane said: “ It is worrying that children’s’ lives are being put at risk by careless lorry drivers who ignore the speed bumps, and use the lane as a race track. With 4 schools along the lane the Council should consider imposing measures to stop Heavy Goods Vehicles flouting traffic calming measures on a regular basis. Lots of our children would like to cycle to school but many parents feel it is unsafe for them to do so.”
TNNA Chair, Richard Beastall said: “Much of Nightingale Lane is a conservation area, but Wandsworth Council’s Technical Services Officers have done nothing to take this into consideration when planning traffic calming, street furniture and traffic flow despite numerous complaints. Many of the properties along Nightingale Lane are of Victorian construction, the foundations were not built to withstand shock impacts of up to 32tonnes caused by lorries speeding over the bumps 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Campaigners from The Nightingale Neighbourhood Association, backed by over 800 local people, are demanding Wandsworth Council immediately:
- Imposes and enforces a 20mph speed limit in Nightingale Lane
- Removes immediately the 17 sets of speed cushions in Nightingale Lane and implements a safer, quieter, more appropriate alternative traffic calming scheme
- Provides a safe highway for cyclists - especially children and young people
- Increases safety for pedestrians night and day, particularly children and the elderly, in Nightingale Lane and adjoining streets.
The Council will be invited to deliver their response to the petition at a Public Meeting to be held in September at the local school for the deaf in Nightingale Lane.
END
Notes to Editors.
- For further information please contact Sheila Boswell, TNNA Campaign Organiser, boswellsheila@me.com Mobile 0776 4946762
- Traffic speeds in Nightingale Lane are currently controlled by 17 sets of fourteen-year-old broken and crumbling speed cushions, and two mini roundabouts at either end of the lane. Most drivers take inappropriate steps to cross these, driving on the wrong side of the road, down the middle of the road dangerously swerving around the speed cushions, or hitting and crashing over the bumps at speeds of up to 35mph.
- Wandsworth Council have recently agreed to remove the only recently installed speed bumps in nearby Burntwood Lane setting a clear precedent for the early removal of all 17 sets of antique bumps in Nightingale Lane.
- Audiology House is at 45 Nightingale Lane, SW12 8SP. Clapham South end Nightingale Lane.