I understand a motorcyclist was recently badly injured at the junction of Pages Lane and Colney Hatch Lane . I am very sorry, but not entirely surprised. Driving in Muswell Hill has become more dangerous since the introduction of so-called Traffic

I understand a motorcyclist was recently badly injured at the junction of Pages Lane and Colney Hatch Lane . I am very sorry, but not entirely surprised.

Driving in Muswell Hill has become more dangerous since the introduction of so-called "Traffic Calming" measures. As both a driver and pedestrian, I have experienced a deterioration in my local environment. Visually there are so many signs, lines, posts, stickers, and humps .....I can hardly take in "Leafy" Muswell Hill ....and the smiling or grimacing lit-up signs that indicate my speed on Muswell Hill distract my attention from prevailing conditions and make me feel like a good or bad child, instead of a responsible experienced driver.

I am constantly stressed, and annoyed by cameras, petty controls, stalking wardens....and it is little wonder that frustrated motorists speed out of Pages Lane when only 2 or 3 cars can pass through on green lights..

Many local residents fought the introduction of those ridiculous traffic lights.I recall it well. Both Barbara Roche and Lynne Featherstone were asked to implement a trial with NO traffic lights. That never happened . BUT when they are out, traffic flows more smoothly. Motorists are more cautious and polite , and pedestrains can still cross safely. Pollution decreases, as must the cost to the NHS in terms of treating heart attacks and stress-related conditions. Other countries have embraced schemes with no traffic lights with road safety as the very justification.

TFL justified the introduction of the lights under Ken Livingstone's initiave to speed up the 43 bus route. It coincided with the very unpopular and contentious closure of Grosvenor Rd...which used to allow local traffic to escape Colney Hatch Lane , thus easing congestion.

At Public Meetings videos showing traffic running smoothly at the lights were proved to be rigged. A resident watched from her window as the operatives altered the phasing before filming ...thus tampering with the actual flow.

Nor did the 43 Bus run any faster . Overall, it was claimed, the times improved, but NOT , it was admitted, on Colney Hatch Lane, or through Muswell Hill. My own observations show buses belch out toxic fumes, and create unbearable noise while waiting to move, often , when the way is clear!

Cllr Ray Dodds justified the lights at the time, as neccessary "control" citing pedestrain safety as well. HOWEVER , as a pedestrain, I found the former Zebra crossing worked well, and as a motorist, it created a pause in traffic flow, enabling cars to exit Pages Lane.

So much money was spent on this system ,no one seems willing to admit it is an IMPEDIMENT . We know that under Ken Livinstone ,lights throughout London were deliberately phased to impede traffic flow. To what ends? Buses in Oxford Street form a nose to tail queue, it is faster to walk, except it is hard to breathe through the exhaust fumes.

Let's come clean. Let's re-assess local conditions and implement a NO LIGHTS trial. Then maybe we can all breathe more easily. As an asthmatic resident off Alexandra Park Rd...constantly clogged with fume-belching vehicles waiting for the lights to change...that would suit me admirably How do YOU feel?

Susan Bennett

St .Regis Close N10

1