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Waltham Forest cycling campaigners oppose plans for schools on Mini-Holland route

Sadiq Khan gives full support to Mini Holland schemes as petition against Walthamstow project rejected

Waltham Forest Council has backed cycling campaigners who are opposing plans put forward by Lion Academy Trust and Athena Academy to build two new schools on protected open space. The campaigners are concerned that Lea Bridge Road, which is part of Transport for London’s Mini Holland project, could see a significant rise in traffic due to parents taking their children to and from school.

Waltham Forest Cycling Campaign’s David Hamilton told the East London and West Essex Guardian that the land – a former Thames Water depot, opposite Lee Valley Ice Centre in Lea Bridge Road and adjacent to a nature reserve – was “in the middle of nowhere.”

“We feel that building a school there will be very dangerous. The entrance to the school will be a very busy cycle route and will see a lot of drop-offs and pick-ups for the children.

“It is not a school that is close to houses, it is in the middle of nowhere so parents will more likely drive their kids to school.”

In a letter to the developers, Fred Smith, chairman of the campaign, said: “We are most concerned that the new school design could pose a risk to pupils and members of the public cycling if there is significant traffic turning across the Lea Bridge Road cycle tracks.

“Even though the former Thames Water depot was responsible for a relatively small number of motor vehicle movements across the existing cycle track, it was considered one of the most hazardous sections of Lea Bridge Road.”

The group say that the schools could undermine the purpose of the Mini Holland, which they describe as “money well spent”.

In contrast, a petition signed by more than 6,000 people was recently presented to the Mayor of London claiming that congestion and pollution had “increased massively” on Walthamstow roads as a result of the scheme.

The London Evening Standard also reports how campaigners in Enfield have claimed that 38 out of 50 businesses surveyed in Winchmore Hill have reported a fall in takings since the Mini Holland in that area.

In response, a spokesman for Sadiq Khan said: “The mayor fully supports the roll-out of Mini Holland schemes in Enfield, Kingston and Waltham Forest as part of his bold plans to make London a safer and easier city for cycling and walking.

"Alongside more segregated cycle lanes, and banning the most dangerous lorries from London’s roads, Mini Hollands and Quietway routes play an important role encouraging more people to walk and cycle in their local neighbourhoods, improving quality of life for everyone.”

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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7 comments

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kie7077 | 7 years ago
1 like

"The London Evening Standard (link is external) also reports how campaigners in Enfield have claimed that 38 out of 50 businesses surveyed in Winchmore Hill have reported a fall in takings since the Mini Holland in that area."

The cycle lane is nowhere near complete, there are road-works all over the place, it's not ready for cycling on. Survey is pointless.

 

This corner is proving problematic: https://goo.gl/maps/2ftrK62g7z62

Because the cars are now stopping on the cycle lane. Easy enough to stay on the road for now, but that defeats the object of having a cycle lane.

 

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beezus fufoon | 7 years ago
0 likes

not a good idea to put schools near to brothels and coffeeshops anyway

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ConcordeCX replied to beezus fufoon | 7 years ago
2 likes

beezus fufoon wrote:

not a good idea to put schools near to brothels and coffeeshops anyway

May I have a double skinny whipped with extra foam and a happy ending, please Miss?

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amawby | 7 years ago
1 like

if the mini holland being built is NOT suitable for use riding to a school, one really has to question why on earth it is being built at all!

Compare this to the scheme in Enfield, where use by children is one of the key arguments the proponents put for the scheme.  The fact it is very badly designed and won't achieve this is an entirely separate matter.  

A good scheme should encourage cycling of all levels by making is easier and safer - and I agree with @DrG82 that by the developers of the school and mini holland scheme working together this really ought to be possible.

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Grahamd | 7 years ago
1 like

Our son was knocked over by a car outside his school about 4 years ago. Fortunately he sustained no serious injuries  despite damaging the car bonnet and windscreen. Transpired that he didn't differentiate a moving car from those inappropriately parked. School and police had known for ages but done nothing until after our son was hurt. Now there is more parking in the school and lower speed limits. Whatever it takes to make a route and scenario safe for everyone should be the overriding priority, however challenging that may be.

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DrG82 | 7 years ago
3 likes

Surely the answer to this is for the developers to work with the cyclists to design the layout correctly so that everyone's happy.

But that's to much like sensible thinking.

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StuInNorway replied to DrG82 | 7 years ago
2 likes

DrG82 wrote:

Surely the answer to this is for the developers to work with the cyclists to design the layout correctly so that everyone's happy.

But that's to much like sensible thinking.

Short of building a cycle route completely enclosed with fencing I doubt it would help. London's school run drivers show time and time again that they have no regard for other people or rules.  I worked along the road from a school in south London for a while, and right by the school was a central island with width restrictions  on either side to stop trucks for local industrial units going past the school....  ..  ..   The number of days I sat waiting ages until "Mummy" came back out from dropping off "darling" as they'd stopped their car (generally an X5 type wagon) a metre past the wodth restriction poles . . .  even the motorbikes struggled to get through.
 

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