Broadwater Farm Estate residents set to be given LTN exception

The estate is said to have been “cut off” from South Tottenham as a result of the council’s traffic restrictions, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Broadwater Farm residents will be allowed to drive through restrictions imposed by a low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) in surrounding streets, the council has confirmed.

Made permanent in December, the Bruce Grove West Green LTN scheme minimises through-traffic in the area using 21 traffic filters made up of cameras, bollards or planters.

However, last night (Tuesday 17th) Haringey Council’s cabinet agreed residents living on Broadwater Farm Estate, which sits in the middle of the LTN, and those in properties on Moira Close, could drive through the traffic filter at the junction of Gloucester Road and The Avenue.

A report discussed at the meeting stated only 41% of Broadwater Farm households owned a car, therefore this “measured exemption” benefited those who needed it most without “undermining traffic reduction objectives”.

Mike Hakata, the council’s cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport, spoke about the difficulty Broadwater Farm residents experienced exiting and entering the estate.

He said: “Ultimately it’s very difficult if you’re on the southern side of Broadwater Farm to go south towards Philip Lane [LTN boundary].

“You would have to go north up to Tottenham High Road or Lordship Lane to be able to make that journey south, so it’s the greatest journey of anyone living in an LTN.

“The purpose of this paper is essentially to balance both equity and access demand with the ability to keep the purpose of the LTN in tact.”

West Green councillor Seema Chandwani welcomed the change, adding that with the lack of access and exit routes, currently there is only one way in and out, arguing this was having a knock-on effect on roads neighbouring the LTN.

She said: “I think it’s important to note residents on this specific estate have been almost inadvertently cut off by this LTN because they can’t get to South Tottenham, where medical provision is. They can’t get there without going all the way around, so I really want to welcome this.”

One member per household can apply for a permit enabling them to drive through the traffic filter at the junction.

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