Miguel Cullen Residents living near a school are accusing the council of ignoring their concerns in a traffic calming consultation. Coleridge Primary School in Crouch End will double in size, from a two-form to four-form entry in September. The increase

Miguel Cullen

Residents living near a school are accusing the council of ignoring their concerns in a traffic calming consultation.

Coleridge Primary School in Crouch End will double in size, from a two-form to four-form entry in September. The increased traffic which this is expected to produce is worrying residents.

The council's current proposal includes a 'puffin' crossing with a pedestrian sensor, speed bumps, and a flashing speed warning if drivers exceed the speed limit.

But while these measures tackle the problem of child safety, residents say they fail to address local concerns that traffic will dramatically increase.

Lynne Weber, Liberal Democrat councillor for Crouch End, says that the proposals do not take local residents into account, merely concentrating on Crouch End Hill, and not on neighbouring Waverley, Christchurch and Haslemere Roads.

Ms Weber said: "We could potentially see chaos as cars descend from all directions towards the school. I am appalled that local residents in Haslemere and Waverley Roads seem to have no voice in plans that will affect their own roads."

Coleridge Primary School receives traffic from three different directions. Councillors fear not enough attention is being given to ways of dealing with this traffic problem with measures such as designated drop-off points.

David Winskill, councillor for Crouch End, said: "I have supported local residents who were living under siege in intolerable traffic conditions. Lib Dems managed to get a temporary traffic management solution in place to cope with builder's traffic - but I can envisage chaos if local residents' concerns are not considered. Haringey must act now before school starts in September, and not allow further chaos."

Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation, Cllr Brian Haley would make no comment on the concerns of local residents but said: "We are absolutely committed to doing all we can to make children safe on the way to and from school."

The consultation period will be advertised from March 20 and provides a 21-day consultation period closing on April 7.

broadway@hamhigh.co.uk