The Story So Far
For over five years now, a number of enthusiastic residents and representatives of local businesses have been meeting on a regular basis to form a new residents’ committee, The Nightingale Neighbourhood Association. The Committee represents broad views, and we discuss a number of issues that affect the local environment – planning applications, security, improvements to the environment and traffic calming. However, our primary objective is to improve traffic calming in Nightingale Lane, and improve the safety and environment for all the residents and local businesses.
Our vision is that Nightingale Lane is an area of special consideration: it is an historic lane, linking Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common, and along its length there are three Conservation Areas: Nightingale, Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common. There is a mix of architectural styles and some very fine individual buildings, some of which are Listed. We believe that this busy ‘B’ road, with its increased traffic flows over the years needs special consideration and a new award-winning, innovative traffic calming solution.
All residents complain of excessive noise, dust and vibration from heavy vehicles speeding over the speed cushions, particularly in the evenings and during the night. None of us is against traffic calming, but through our research and advice from specialists we are aware of many other alternatives to the current crude speed cushions, which we believe spoils the environment and makes our living and working environment intolerable.
In our time working together, we have achieved some modest success: we have over 100 local homes and businesses registered as supporters, we have a website which schedules events and links to interesting information. We have held two very lively public meetings attended by residents, local organisations, Councillors and Technical Officers of Wandsworth Council. We have sought specialist advice from a traffic and landscape consultant who suggested to our Committee, Councillors and Technical Officers from Wandsworth Council some alternative approaches. Richard Simon of I-cube offered his services free of charge, and he inspired us all with his innovative thinking. His report also noted the noise and vibration experienced by residents may have been aggravated by deterioration of the surface of the road Adjacent to many of the cushions. See the documents section or click here to open Richard Simon's report.
Following his report the Council undertook a Noise & Vibration Study by a specialist in traffic noise and vibration, with monitoring equipment installed in 3 residents’ homes along the street. This report was conclusive that noise and vibration in the area was excessive, and was causing some minor damage to buildings and much disturbance to residents. As a direct result of this report, Wandsworth Council undertook substantial repairs to the existing speed cushions, and other re-surfacing work to the Lane.
We have also lobbied for additional tree planting along the Lane, and 5 additional trees were planted in 2006 – together with 2 further trees provided by Lawrence Werth along the boundary of the refurbished Audiology House.
However, our campaign goes on for a new long-term innovative solution to traffic calming.
We have not attempted to raise funds, and we have relied entirely upon the goodwill of local residents and businesses.
We welcome your support and if you can help us in any way we would really appreciate your registering with us. Our website is a fantastic communication tool, and we plan to give regular updates by email to those who register with us. If any of you have specialist skills, such as traffic, legal, artistic, or financial expertise, or if you are just enthusiastic and would like to take part or are willing to drop leaflets or talk to fellow neighbours, please let us know. We would also like to organise events that reflect residents’ concerns, so any comments are also welcome.
We are all passionate about our environment, and the very special nature of Nightingale Lane and its environs. Please support us to help keep the special character of the area, and improve the local environment for both the current occupants, and for future generations.
Richard Beastall, Chairman