Just when the thought it couldn't get any crazier... Just when you were thinking...'How could they possibly make congestion any worse?'.
The work experience six formers in charge of Traffic planning at TfL (not normally allowed unaccompanied on the actual streets) have played with their computer model and come up with this new harebrained scheme which we know (as professional drivers who actually spend our day caught up in the mess they create) will cause an almighty catastrophic mess
TFL's minions say they are proposing road safety improvements on Grosvenor Place between Duke of Wellington Place and Wilton Street (but we know different from experience)
Their proposals include ridicules pedestrian crossings at the top of Grosvenor Place and measures which they say are designed to reduce collisions involving turning vehicles. I'm surprised they didn't look at just closing the road completely. But then there would be no fines from drivers confused by unclear signage. You only have to look at the confusion currently costing £50m a year at the bank junction.
The proposal will force traffic, wanting to access Eaton Square and the Kings road and south west areas, down towards the already overused junction with Buckingham Palace Road. We predict this will cause massive queues back along Grosvenor Place to Hyde Park Corner!
Through Traffic to that area will (for now), still be able to use the already over subscribed Grosvenor Crescent. But this will see a nightmare knock on affect along Duke of Wellington Place, similar to the traffic queues created when the road space where Knightsbridge meets Hyde Park Corner, was narrowed.
Game For A Laugh? ...
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Analysis of collision data shows that there have been a number of instances involving right turning vehicles and straight ahead northbound traffic on Grosvenor Place. To minimise the potential for such collisions, we are proposing to prohibit some of the currently permitted turns for vehicles.
We’re also proposing to make it easier for people to cross Grosvenor Place by providing new signalised crossings and a larger island on Grosvenor Place, close to the junction with Duke of Wellington Place.
Our proposals fall into five categories:
1) Banned vehicle movements to improve safety
In order to reduce potential conflicts involving right-turning vehicles, we propose to ban the following turns for all vehicles:
- No entry from Grosvenor Place into Chapel Street. We would ban the right and left turns for vehicles. Traffic counts show a maximum of 164 vehicle movements in the morning peak and 279 vehicle movements in the afternoon peak for right turning vehicles and a maximum of 31 vehicle movements in the morning peak and 36 vehicles in the afternoon peak for left turning vehicles
- Right turn from Grosvenor Place into Chester Street. Traffic counts show a maximum of 62 vehicles in the morning peak and 98 vehicles in the afternoon peak making this turn. We would also extend the existing traffic island opposite Chester Street, which would also physically prevent vehicles turning right into and out of Chester Street
- Right turn from Wilton Street onto Grosvenor Place. Traffic counts show at least 50 vehicle movements every hour between 09:00 and 19:00 - sometimes reaching 70 – 80 vehicle movements
As well as reducing the potential for collisions, the changes would also improve traffic flow along Grosvenor Place southbound.
2) New crossings and more space for pedestrians at Duke of Wellington Place
New fully accessible, signalised, surface pedestrian crossings and a larger pedestrian island at Duke of Wellington Place would provide an alternative to the existing subways, which are not accessible for mobility impaired people and are closed overnight. The larger island would also encourage drivers to slow down when approaching the gyratory
3) Larger vehicle waiting areas and lane widening
- Extend the right turn pocket into Wilton Street by 59 metres from 26 metres to 85 metres to accommodate vehicles waiting to turn onto Wilton Street without obstructing the offside lane
- By removing the vehicle waiting areas for right turning traffic at Chapel Street and Chester Street we would be able to redistribute space and widen the traffic lanes to better suit traffic conditions
4) Relocating loading bay on Chester Street
Relocate an existing 16 metres long loading bay from Grosvenor Place to Chapel Street to prevent loading vehicles blocking the northbound bus lane. This relocation is expected to improve traffic flow and bus journey times
5) Bus lane hours
Extend northbound bus lane hours of operation from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm to Monday to Sunday 7am to 7pm to improve bus journey times and reliability. Taxis, motorcycles and bicycles would be allowed to use the bus lane, as they are at present. Other vehicles would not be able to enter the bus lane (including for parking and loading on single red lines) during the operating hours.
Please have your say by clicking on the link below, but going on other TfL consultations, they won't take a blind but of notice and just carry on regardless.
Have your say, click link below:
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