Planning Developments in the Herne Hill Area
Herne Hill Junction Regeneration: July 2010 - Nearly There!!
It has taken rather longer than we anticipated when construction started towards the end of last year. But, with the exception of Brockwell Passage – see below – almost all the main works are completed and the Junction is functioning well for pedestrians, cyclists and buses.
See these 'before and after' shots. And not only has it stopped raining, but there's more places to sit when the sun comes out.
Work still to be done includes:
- The railings along the Brockwell Park boundary – the suppliers have been late in delivering refurbished and new panels and erecting the remaining panels has been delayed because of the Country Show.
- It’s looking likely that Southwark will agree to use Yorkstone paving for the project to upgrade the Norwood Road shopping parade, to match the paving used on the Lambeth side.
- Traffic signal sequencing still has to be optimised. This should help significantly reduce any continuing traffic delays and pedestrian crossing waiting times.
- Bonded gravel will soon be laid on the footways in front of the shops in Railton Road and Dulwich Road; and around the two smaller trees on the pedestrian island (shrubs will be planted round the other two trees).
- Eight more trees will be planted in Railton Road.
- Lambeth is being urged to move the surveillance camera in Railton Road to a position from which it can view the whole of the road between the station and Junction.
- There will be additional cycle parking in Half Moon Lane. Hopefully Southwark will agree to replace the cycle racks on the south side of Half Moon Lane with the same design as the much more attractive ones used on the Lambeth side.
- Lambeth will be sealing the Yorkstone paving. Unfortunately the actions of some selfish people have caused unsightly staining on the new paving, seriously spoiling the appearance of the area.
- There have been reports of people crossing the Junction roads who have tripped over the low kerbs on the central reservations. Of course this would not happen if they followed the correct route. However, Lambeth will be laying coloured and non-slip surfaces, better to distinguish where people should cross.
Once the whole project is up and running, Lambeth will be carrying out a safety audit of the area. Transport for London will also be doing an assessment of the Junction functionality – but so far it seems to be working well, even before the traffic signals have been optimised.
Upgrading Brockwell Passage
Brockwell Passage provides an important connection between the station and buses in Dulwich Road. However, it does not provide a very attractive route for pedestrians. The plan is therefore to widen the passage by some 1.5 metres to provide a much more pleasant experience. Lambeth has been negotiating with the landowners and has recently submitted a planning application and are seeking tenders for widening the passage. In addition, Lambeth plan to issue a Traffic Management Order to pedestrianise the whole of the passage (at present vehicles are permitted to use the southern end.
What do people think?
At the Lambeth Country Show, we asked visitors to the Society’s stall to tell us what they thought of the new Junction. Here’s a sample of some of the comments received:
- The new junction layout works superbly, a triumph.
- Wonderful. A triumph of your vision. I don’t know what all the fuss was about. A vindication of your campaign.
- As a driver through the region I think it is very positive for the area.
- Consider the new regenerated junction to be full of only positives. Safer, cleaner, and pedestrianised. Hope many more see the benefits.
- I live in Rymer Street. I am extremely grateful for the new improvement to Herne Hill Junction because it has improved the quality of life for the whole family with less noise and safer roads.
- This new road scheme has certainly improved the feel of the area. So nice to have a more tranquil area outside the station where it is now semi-pedestrianised.
Herne Hill Junction Regeneration: May 2010
Things always seem to take much longer to complete than the original estimates, whether that be the huge multi-billion pound NHS IT project or the Herne Hill Junction costing just under £2million.
A number of target dates for the Junction have been set and missed. But at last we’ve seen vital milestones achieved. On 17th April the new traffic signals began operation, and Railton Road was closed to through traffic. The opening of the slip road across the Park entrance was however delayed until 21st April, but once open the traffic started flowing straight away.
Still to be completed are all the railings along the Park boundary. The old railings have been refurbished and additional new railings have been made to the same design. Installation has been delayed because the gates will be installed on slightly rising ground – previously it was flat. This means new hinges have to be attached and tested. Railings and gates should all be in place by the end of May.
Once the slip road was opened and the right turn in place for traffic going from Dulwich Road into Norwood Road, a start could be made on completing the project’s centre-piece – the full upgrade and regeneration of Railton Road. This work is now well under way and we’re looking forward to its completion, again perhaps by the end of May.
Download latest plans for Railton Road, March 2010: pdf, 1.85 MB!
Trees
The three additional tree pits on the pedestrian island have been constructed and the trees planted. These are in positions where they will preserve the views of the Park, up the hill towards Brockwell Hall. The variety chosen (Liquidambar) have are judged to be that which will best cope with the environment on the island and, when the leaves fall, they will not cause a slipping hazard.
Additional trees have been planted in Railton Road and in Milkwood Road.
Cycle Racks
There will be plenty of additional cycle parking and new racks have already been installed in Milkwood Road and in Railton Road, outside The Commercial and near the junction with Rymer Street. More will be going in soon, in particular in front of the station.
Paving Materials
Except for a small area at the south end of Brockwell Passage, the pedestrian areas and foot-ways throughout the Junction on the Lambeth side will be paved with Yorkstone.
As well as on its own side of the ‘border’, Lambeth has been installing paving on the Southwark side, from the Half Moon Tavern pub along Norwood Road as far as the entrance to the railway arches; as well as on the corner of Half Moon Lane and Herne Hill. And it was expected that Southwark would repave Half Moon Lane as far as Stradella Road and Norwood Road as far as Croxted Road, using the same Yorkstone material. The costs would be met from funds Southwark has allocated to regenerate the Norwood Road shopping parade. Unfortunately the use of Yorkstone on the whole of the Southwark side is now being questioned. Although the available budget is more than sufficient to meet the cost, some are arguing that the money should be directed towards other priorities and that cheaper paving materials used instead of Yorkstone.
We continue to argue that Yorkstone should be used throughout the Junction and joined in a joint Herne Hill Society, Dulwich Society and Junction Project Board deputation to the March Dulwich Community Council to put the case for this to local Councillors.
Pedestrian Safety
There has been some criticism of the raised kerbs round the pedestrian refuges, seen as a potential tripping hazard. Such raised kerbs are now commonly used around London as they are much safer than the traditional guard rails that have been removed throughout the junction. Lambeth has agreed to give consideration to applying a differently coloured road surface to the crossings better to show pedestrians where they should cross. After the project is completed, Lambeth will carry out safety audits of the whole Junction area and take any further action that the audit identifies as necessary.
There have also been concerns that it will no longer be possible for pedestrians to go straight across Half Moon Lane. The Project Board has always argued for straight across pedestrian crossings throughout the Junction. However, all the modelling of vehicle movements through the Junction shows that straight across crossings would seriously reduce traffic capacity. Many would argue that this is a good thing. However, the negative impact on bus movements would have meant that Transport for London, the project’s main funders, would not have felt justified in continuing their financial support.
Completion
Latest estimates suggest that the whole project will be completed by the end of June.
What's the Background? Tell me the Facts
Read more about this important initiative here.
