News
NEWS RELEASE - 22nd July 2009
ANGRY RESIDENTS GROUP ROLL OUT 32ft PETITION
On Wednesday 22nd July at Audiology House, 45 Nightingale Lane local residents rolled out a 32ft , 856 signature petition. The petition was presented to Wandsworth Councillor Sarah McDermott by The Nightingale Neighbourhood Association (TNNA). The group is angry at Wandsworth Council which has for many 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.
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.
TNNA Secretary and local resident David Hornsby said " All that we want are modern alternatives to the crumbling 14 year old speed bumps, which to add insult to injury they have even failed to maintain. The Council should be in no doubt that if they fail to listen once again, we are prepared to mount a campaign of direct action and civil disobedience. This petition is our final olive branch."
Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting who attended the presentation said: ": "I have every sympathy with residents of Nightingale Lane, whose lives have been made a misery. The Council doesn't seem to understand that heavy vehicles and speeding cars are causing a real nuisance to residents. The Council must urgently review the traffic calming measures on Nightingale Lane. Action needs to be taken now."
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.
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."
Martin Linton, MP for Battersea, Balham & Wandsworth who also attended the presentation said: "It's incredible the noise that building lorries make when they go hurtling over speed bumps at six in the morning. The bumps are supposed to slow lorries down, but they go over at full pelt. We need a new approach. Wandsworth Council will have to start listening to local people on this one."
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 more photos and further information please contact Sheila Boswell, TNNA Campaign Organiser, boswellsheila@me.com Mobile 07764946762
- 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.