Councillor Mike Hakata, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment and Transport, approved changes to facilitate new bus routes serving the Heartlands development in Wood Green. The decision involved implementing new bus stops, a bus stand, revised road alignments, and waiting and loading restrictions, alongside the removal of several parking spaces.

Heartlands Bus Proposals for Routes 91, N91, and 232

The Cabinet Member approved the implementation of highway changes to facilitate the extension of bus routes 91, N91, and 232 to the new Haringey Heartlands Development. These changes, which were subject to statutory consultation, include the provision of five new bus stops and one new bus stand, revised road alignments, the introduction of double yellow lines for waiting and loading restrictions, two raised junction tables, and a zebra crossing on Western Road.

The decision also involved the removal of 17 shared parking spaces, 22 resident permit holder parking spaces, and 4 business permit holder spaces, as well as 42 metres of single yellow line parking. A revised proposal for the bus stand on Coburg Road, extending it from 12m to 23m, was also approved.

The report detailed that Transport for London (TfL) had consulted on these route changes between October and December 2023, with a decision made in March 2024 to proceed with the extensions. Haringey Council then undertook its own statutory consultation on the necessary highway changes from 17 January to 7 February 2024.

A total of 34 responses were received during the statutory consultation, with objections raised concerning noise and air pollution, increased traffic congestion, the suitability of the roads for buses, potential anti-social behaviour, and the loss of parking. Officers provided responses to these objections, noting that TfL buses are low or zero emission and that traffic calming measures would be implemented. The report also highlighted that while some parking spaces would be removed, this was necessary to facilitate the bus routes and align with the Council's Transport Strategy, which prioritises sustainable transport.

Councillor Hakata agreed not to hold a public inquiry, as no objections specifically related to the prohibition of loading and unloading. The decision was made to proceed with the approved changes, with the exception of the initial proposals for the bus stand on Coburg Road, for which revised plans were adopted. The total cost for these highway changes is £450,000, funded by TfL and the Housing Department.

The decision aligns with Haringey's Corporate Delivery Plan 2022-2024, specifically supporting outcomes related to resident experience, climate emergency response, and placemaking. It also supports the Mayor of London's Transport Strategy and Haringey's Local Implementation Plan and Walking and Cycling Action Plan, aiming to improve air quality, reduce congestion, and promote active travel.

The Cabinet Member noted that Ward Councillors had been offered a briefing session on the proposals and that no indications of objections had been received from them. The decision is classified as a non-key decision as it does not involve expenditure exceeding £500,000, the awarding of a contract, or significant impact across multiple wards.

The approved changes are intended to facilitate the new bus routes, providing better public transport access to the Heartlands development and encouraging sustainable travel choices, in line with the Council's commitment to a greener and more connected Haringey.

References:

• Public reports pack: Public reports pack 28th-May-2024 09.30 Cabinet Member Signing.pdf
• Agenda frontsheet: Agenda frontsheet 28th-May-2024 09.30 Cabinet Member Signing.pdf
• Printed minutes: Printed minutes 28th-May-2024 09.30 Cabinet Member Signing.pdf
• Haringey's Transport Strategy (2018)
• Mayor of London's Transport Strategy
• Haringey Local Implementation Plan
• Haringey's Walking and Cycling Action Plan
• Haringey's Corporate Delivery Plan 2022-2024
• Haringey's Climate Change Action Plan
• Healthy Streets Approach
• Heartlands and Wood Green - proposed changes to bus routes
• Alexandra House, 10 Station Road, Wood Green, N22 7TR
• Western Road, Wood Green
• Mayes Road, Wood Green
• Coburg Road, Wood Green
• Mary Neuner Road, Wood Green
• Clarendon Road, Wood Green
• Haringey Heartlands Development