Sign the petition to support the proposed traffic calming measures

The resident working party which has been working with Westminster Council on this issue, has created an online petition for residents on Saltram and surrounding streets to register their support for implementing traffic calming measures on Saltram Crescent, via an Experimental Traffic Order.

https://www.change.org/p/martin-lowe-implement-proposed-traffic-calming-measures-on-saltram-crescent-on-a-trial-basis

I would urge readers to sign up to this, since no decision or a rejection of this idea will take us all the way back to the start of the process again, and possible lose any chance of addressing this. If you are hesitant about the option proposed, please have a read through the excellent summary document that was prepared, outlining the pros and cons that were considered for many other options. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B32w7l4mk8PeNnhDaGktdTBpQXc/view?usp=sharing

Also consider the fact that the recommended option put forward by the council and the resident working group is for an Experimental Traffic Order, which would mean that you would have the opportunity to see if it works and provide feedback if you feel there is a detrimental impact that is disproportionate to the benefit.

Please register your support on the petition today. 

Why no progress???

In October 2015, the council wrote to residents with the letter below calling another public meeting.

Basically there hadn't been any progress on the proposed plans to calm Saltram Crescent due to various objections - form the ambulance service and resident sin side roads, understandably concerned that traffic form Saltram would simply be diverted to their roads - Croxley, Bradiston, etc.

We don't believe this to be the case as much of the traffic causing problems in Saltram is though traffic.

So we really want to see the trail in place and see what happens. That's the only way of knowing.

After a heated meeting it seems we now have to pursuade the council to put the trial in place.

If you agree that we should trial traffic calming in Saltram Crescent then please do sign up and tell us what you think on the form here: http://bit.ly/safersaltramform 

Thanks...

A GREAT RESULT : Council publish proposed calming scheme.

We were delighted to get a letter from the council informing us of their proposed solution to calm traffic in Saltram Crescent (Although with he 3 month road works closing the street is bliss at the moment - no rows, no crashes, no speed!).

Here's the letter and the plan.

Thanks to everyone who stepped up and formed a committee to liaise with the council.

To our councillors for pushing it through and arranging meetings. (remember them come voting day!)

And to the council, for listening to our concerns, thoughts ad for meeting with us and working out a solution. Together. Feedback form the committee has been that the council and their consultants have been amazing. Knowledgeable, collaborative and action-orientated.

Thank you all.

P.S: This will probably be the last post from Safer Saltram - to keep up to date be sure to sign up on the new Maida Hill Forum website here: http://www.maidahillforum.org.uk/

FANTASTIC turn out for meeting with the council

We were delighted to see so many people pack out the meeting room at St Peter's church on the evening of 26th November.

The meeting was chaired by our councillor Guthrie McKie with councillors Ruth Bush,  and Nilavra Mukerji in attendance.

Martin Low, the City's Commissioner for transportation addressed the meeting stressing the council's commitment to work with the community to fin da solution and one of his team outlined various options.

It was stressed that a 20mph limit was not an option as they are not part of WCC's policy. Split one way, chicanes, passing places and barriers were discussed.

It was clear that WCC had no preference and no intention of forcing any thing on our or doing nothing. They have allocated £150k to a solution.

Various members of the community spoke to point out the need for a solution to the situation and it was agreed that a committee would be formed to work with the council towards a solution sooner rather than later.

One key point that came out was that in addressing a solution, the impact on adjoining streets (Croxley Road, etc)  should be considered.

Watch this space.

(It is worth noting that the bottom of Saltram Crescent with Shirland Road is going to be closed for three months from early Janaury 21014 anyway so it will be interesting to see how that affects traffic in Saltram Crescent)

Email from councillors following public meeting

Our councillors sent this email through after the public meeting:

Traffic calming for Saltram Crescent View this email in your browser

Supporting the Safer Saltram Campaign!

- A good turnout for the first meeting! - Steering Group set up - 14 volunteers - Ideas to be explored with the Council Dear Resident, Residents' meeting on 26th November very positive!   We had a very good turn out on the 26th, with around 40 residents attending the meeting. The purpose of this first meeting was for the Council's officers to hear the views of residents, and talk through some of the issues that will need to be considered as part of developing a solution to this problem. Karen Buck MP and Cllr Ed Argar, Cabinet Member for Transportation both attended and spoke at the meeting, with a clear message that any solution needs to be supported by local residents! Nick Corston, local resident and spearhead for the Safer Saltram campaign briefed the meeting on the results and feedback from the Safer Saltram web survey. A broad range of ideas and options were suggested by the residents in attendance, and it was clear that some detailed consideration will be needed if these ideas were to be explored further. A steering group of volunteers was set up, who will meet together for the first time this Wednesday at 6:30pm at St Luke's Church. The Steering Group of residents will work with officers to explore potential ideas in more detail, and we would expect this process to complete in February 2015, and for the Steering Group to report back to residents before any final decision can be made. Thank you for your continued support! Regards Ruth Bush Guthrie McKie Nilavra Mukerji

Produced and circulated by Nilavra Mukerji, Westminster CLP, 4G Shirland Mews, London W9 3DY Our mailing address is: Harrow Road Labour 4G Shirland Mews London, W9 3DY United Kingdom

Community survey feedback

Here's a short document that summarises the feedback from the survey on this website that was presented to the meeting on Nov 26th.

Click here to see PDF

The councils proposal and what residents say

Thanks to everyone who has taken the trouble to visit the web site (785 visits to date) especially those who have left comments and filled in the survey.

Here's a letter from the council about the meeting on Weds 26th November and our thoughts.

Here's what you said in the survey. We'll pass this to the council (no names or personal data will be shared).

bumps, 20 speed zone and one way all the way or split in half, and the situation would be much better. my car was damaged too in saltram crescent in november by someone which was driving too fast and even didn't leave any details. i found the nice surprise the following morning!

Don't like 45 degree parking idea.

I feel speed humps strategically placed would stop speeding along the road. Something must be done immediately before a fatality occurs.

I feel speed humps strategically placed would stop speeding along the road. Something must be done immediately before a fatality occurs.

Turning out of the side streets from Denholme etc onto Fernhead is dangerous due to cars parking so close to the road junctions that it is almost impossible to see cars on Fernhead until you pull out. Anything that would make residents have to go around the block to access their houses etc (such as a split one way street) would make this worse by increasing traffic turning into Fernhead from side roads. Although speed bumps are expensive etc, I think that a speed limit will simply be ignored by those who speed along Saltram anyway.

There is traffic constantly using Malvern place, saltram crescent and bradiston road as a cut through from Carlton vale to fernhead road and visa versa. This should be stopped as there is a perfectly good turning at top of fernhead road.

Only two short sections of one way are needed, pointing outwards, to stop the wrong traffic from coming in: one between Bradiston Raod and Malvern Place, one between Fordingley Road and Shirland Road.

Please forget my comments re traffic cutting through bradiston and Malvern. I monitored it over last 24h and it wasn't much. There is the potential for it to be a problem if traffic lights are installed at top of fernhead as was planned when the roundabout was going to be developed

Would like to see some signs warning drivers that children play in the street and also cross the street, as well as elderly and disabled people that are in the area. I think more signs relating to hazard perception I think would be very beneficial.

When are they coming to remove the cars that crashed a month ago??? That are taking up residents paid spaces!????

Thanks for putting this together. It would be beneficial to have a central portal/point of contact where residents can know each other and connect on issues like traffic and more (rubbish, upkeep, etc).. Happy to contribute in whatever way possible as we are just as keen to see the area improve and flourish.

How nice would it be to make Saltram Crescent a fully pedestrian, cobblestone street. But I do realise I am probably dreaming here..

THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE QUICKLY...NOT IN A YEARS TIME. SOMEONE WILL DIE VERY SOON. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. ITS RIDICULOUS NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE NOW. PLEASE HELP.

20mph would only work if it is enforced with cameras. Otherwise most drivers will just ignore it. Speed bumps are a really bad idea. They increase engine noise as drivers accelerate away from them. In a street as acoustically sensitive (narrow and high-sided) as this, that would be a real problem. Chicanes would work if there were enough of them to really slow drivers down. Just one of two at the ends of the street won't have much effect. One way all the way is a really bad idea, for the reasons you mention. It would probably just make the situation worse. Well done for doing something.

I would combine the 20mph speed sign with the half road one way solution. People may still speed down half the road so the legal zoning and signs may deter some racers. Given the school on fernhead road, more children crossing signs may is cheaper and make irresponsible drivers have no option but to slow down. Great work with this initiative. I hope we can make Saltram Crescent a safer place for its residents

I have also been in touch with the council with regards to this ongoing issue and some others. As far as I am aware Karen Buck is looking into this as well as the council. Another issues is the dumping of rubbish on the street. This has been ongoing and the council are working hard at trying to sort it out. The problem is residents constantly dump their rubbish and old furniture on the street. This is unacceptable and devalues the street. Finally, the agents boards that get left up for weeks if not months. Some agents put boards when they don't even have a property to sell or rent. I have reported this to the council recently. I have been working hard on the above matters for the past few months and had no idea that other residents feel the same. I would very much like to meet up!

We have lived here four years and often signal for dangerous drivers to slow down. I've also experienced multiple near misses. Dangerous driving on SC is a genuine concern and I applaud those who have built this website and petition. It has our full support.

Glad something is finally being done about this dangerous street. I've lived here over 10 years and it's always been a problem. Nothing short of stopping the road being used as a through route will suffice. As long as drivers have the option to use it as a rat run, they will speed.

There is a desperate need for pedestrian crossings between Fernhead Rd and Queens Pk roundabout. (Premier Corner) .Currently, several lanes of fast traffic flow in 6/7 different directions making crossing extremely dangerous.

Can we consider closing some of the streets between Fernhead Road and Saltram Crescent to deter drivers as using this road as an option? I guess the one way system on half of the road would help with this. In addition can we have the 20mph zone regardless of whatever other action is taken?

I fail to see how a 20mph will work - you will still have cars speeding whatever the limit.

One way split in half will mean the side roads will become much busier. and asct as rat runs. Not acceptable Chicanes and 20mph is the solution. Not bothered about passing being an issue. this actually deters drivers using the road

How serious is the council taking our concerns at present? What do we need to do to get their attention? Thanks for taking the initiative with this one, it's important.

As the father of a toddler who insists on getting out of the buggy and walking/running home along the footpath on Saltram crescent, I would feel much more comfortable if the traffic had some tighter controls. There's very little room for error if a car loses control or if my toddler darts onto the road. It would make for a much safer and more pleasant street if something can be done, so you have my full support.

Really appreciate someone taking the initiative about this problem. It's only a matter of time before there's an accident. Cars driving too fast, and using Saltram as a permanent cut through route to Shirland Road. It must stop!

No entry from Shirland Road up to Fordingley Road AND No Entry from Fernhead Road up to Malvern Place. This would allow two-way traffic along Saltram Crescent but would stop traffic using the road as a short cut. (This was proposed by the Council a number of years ago but dropped.) The junction at Fernhead Rd and Saltram Cr is also an accident spot. Traffic races down Fernhead Rd from Queen's Park and because Saltram Cr is wider at this junction than the rest of the Crescent and the entry is less than 90 degrees, traffic is able to accelerate around this corner into the crescent. (There have been two accidents at this spot this year - to my knowledge. One involving a child and one a cyclist.) the problem is exacerbated by cars/vans parking in Saltram right up to the junction and obstructing the sight lines into Saltram. Saltram Crescent should be narrowed at this point to equal the width of the rest of the Crescent, it should be realigned to make the entry at right angles to Fernhead and no parking/waiting rigidly enforced in this area. This action would reduce the excessive speed at the northern part of Saltram Crescent..

High time something was done. Since sewer works on Fernhead Road, on Saltram has become de facto route to Shirland Road. Traffirc roaring down the road all hours day and night. A lot of money spent Fernhead speed camera's and nothing on Saltram - it's like a race track! Really pleased someone is taking initiative re this. Thank you!

Speed bumps probably the best

Thank you for organising this website, as a resident I feel relieved that something is being done as I think it's only a matter of time before a fatal accident. The speeding at night concerns me the most.