Rockets

How many pages of hyperbolic drivel will it take > until people actually understand that the root > cause of the problem is the number of journeys > that are being made by car and the number of cars > that we've allowed to take over our streets and > absolutely not the LTNs. This just shows the blinkered view of the problem that so many have that is utterly paralysing the opportunity for rational debate and analysis - vehicle miles is not just about the car (private car ownership and use has been declining, albeit slowly, across London for years) but the huge rise in LGVs and PHVs has been driving the vehicle miles up - and LTNs don't do anything to deter that problem. When you start understanding the problem you can try and fix it but if you focus solely on the private car you are missing the bigger picture.

rahrahrah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > For those who are interested in what's actually > happening, rather than desperately looking for > anything that might be spun to support a prior > belief. Here is a summary of what's been > achieved: > > Assumes advert voice over voice.... *a liberal dose of council spin may have been applied to the numbers therein and users are advised to treat the numbers with caution. Other analysis may also be valid and you should seek advice from a professional without a vested interest....

Absolutely agree that the effect of bad drivers has much worse consequences than bad cyclists and this story (that someone posted elsewhere) highlights the absolute worst of some drivers. But it also demonstrates there are bad eggs on both sides and you can see that there were moments that both could have behaved better and de-escalated the situation. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/14/motorist-jailed-for-running-over-cyclist-who-spat-on-his-car?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2kdScweEgMq3rQIIPlOYqvs9ImMM3NiU_rmhRln4WEcSA7T4LQ6hqg27k#Echobox=1639485222 Cyclist hits car and cycles off Car driver goes to remonstrate with cyclist about the damage caused to his car Cyclist spits on man's car Car driver loses it and uses his car as a weapon and, deservedly, goes to prison.

CPR Dave Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hang on now you are saying that two thirds of East > Dulwich Grove has had an increase in traffic! > > Are you sure this a "good thing" ?? CPR - it's always a case of "never let the truth get in the way of a good story" with the pro-LTN lobby! Time and time again their claims are torn apart by people looking at the detail for themselves and it's often a case that the more the pro-LTN lobby talk the deeper the hole they dig (I refer you to Rahx3s 20% reduction along EDG statement which three messages later they have to admit is not true as the two other parts of EDG have increased traffic numbers). This is the worst situation for the council, and why they are so nervous as they know people will look at what they are putting out there (on this and everything moving forward), because the trust in them has been so eroded by this process. They can't get away with pushing things through without their constituents looking at it in minutia. They have made a huge rod for their own backs.

rahrahrah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I would rather that cars didn't cut pass the > entrance to East Dulwich Charter on Melbourne > Grove. It's instructive that you were arguing > against the LTN on the grounds that it supposedly > increased traffic outside the school, but now > argue that cars should be encouraged to pass the > school rather than drive an extra couple of > minutes to avoid it. It's clearly better to have > less traffic and more people walking and cycling. > It's clearly better to have cars avoid driving > passed the entrance to a school and yes, if that > means a 2 or 3 minute diversion further along the > road in order to avoid it, I do think that's > preferable. > > You didn't answer my question about whether the > number of kids walking and cycling to school would > increase or decrease if the LTN was removed, but > up to you. Rahx3 but I am not arguing that am I? Really you do seem to be tying yourself in knots trying desperately to make a point that doesn't exist. What I want is less traffic for everyone - not less for some and more for others. I want people to be able to walk and cycle safely and to answer your question I am not convinced the LTNs have had any positive impact on modal shift - I think the pandemic was responsible for that and I think the council needs to remove the LTNs but then put measures in that protect modal shift (especially walking that they seem to have neglected).

Rah - EDG South is up, EDG East is up , EDG Central (miraculously) is down. So to say traffic is down on EDG is complete nonsense - the council alleges it is down on one section. Again, do you think it is fair that some are getting less traffic and some are getting more along the same stretch of road? I answered your question. Stop pontificating (but we have seen more than enough times that the pro-lobby aren't good under cross-examination!) ;-)

Rahx3 - you're avoiding my question.....again.... They have reduced traffic on the closed roads and increased them on the displacement routes (that is clear from the data). Active travel was at 68% in Dulwich already and was probably even higher due to the pandemic before the LTNs went in - the active travel gains solely because of the LTNs will be negligible (maybe a low single-figure %) and I am afraid more children cycling to JAGs/JAPS and Alleyns who used to walk is not enough to justify the chaos and misery being inflicted on others. Now, in case you missed it here is my question to you again: And to that end let me ask you a question - do you really think the measures are working and fair if Goldilocks can herald the "success" of the EDG Central "reduction" numbers whilst Heartblock sees them as a failure because 100 yards up the same road in either direction traffic has increased by over 25%?

Unfortunately there are bad eggs on both sides who give all of the good ones a bad name!

Rahx3 - removing LTNs would increase traffic on the roads that have been closed to traffic but would reduce traffic on roads that have been a displacement route for the closed roads. Would it increase overall traffic numbers - I very much doubt it - it would just redistribute the traffic to the levels it was at before? Remember, private car ownership is declining in London, what is increasing is PHV and delivery vehicles so LTNs don't magic that away with LTNs - so you need measures to tackle that or measures to reduce the environmental impact of that if you can't get it to go away. If the council puts in proper strategic area-wide measures to reduce the reliance on the car and to promote walking and cycling then I do believe it would decrease traffic and increase walking and cycling (but remember walking is already the most popular form of transport for people making local journeys in the area). But I also think we have to be realistic - something the council seems incapable of doing. What you forget is that these measures are designed to, ostensibly, reduce pollution but have been skewed by lobby groups to be about reducing vehicle use - all vehicle use whether they pollute a lot or not. LTNs are not the solution in isolation - you know that, the council knows that, we all know that. The problem is the council got seduced by the pro-LTN lobby groups (namely the cycle groups like the LCC and Southwark cyclists) into closing roads and using Covid and the need for social distancing as the underhand air-cover to roll them out without any engagement with the community as they had failed to get a consensus that these were the right measures during their OHS consultations. It was clear to many of us from those OHS days that all LTNs do is move the problem elsewhere and increases pollution - many have been consistent in that position since the outset. And to that end let me ask you a question - do you really think the measures are working and fair if Goldilocks can herald the "success" of the EDG Central "reduction" numbers whilst Heartblock sees them as a failure because 100 yards up the same road in either direction traffic has increased by over 25%?

Don't...I just got off the train at North Dulwich and there was one lady in our carriage who was not wearing a mask - annoying enough I am sure you'll agree. She then proceeded to unchain her bike from outside the station and then cycled off with no helmet and no lights on Red Post Hill to the traffic lights and the on to Dulwich Village. A car trying to turn left at the lights nearly took her out as they had no way to see her as she had no lights. Some cyclists are an accident waiting to happen.

I had the same but, like you, I registered to receive the updates. I wonder how the council are going to inform the thousands of people who received the mail shot but have not registered for email updates. Maybe they are relying on ESP. Honestly, this council is beyond reproach. Yet still, people will come on here and defend them and claim this is a genuine oversight. At what point do we have to question Cllr Williams' leadership and whether he is fit for the role?

But Rahx3 I am not saying that am I? What I am saying is that there is increasing evidence that, following pressure from Melbourne Grove residents, the council has created a new set of figures to help justify not making their proposed changes to Melbourne Grove thus continuing to inflict continued increased congestion and pollution on other streets in the area whilst appeasing the residents of Melbourne Grove who have been central to the support of LTNs. The fact the council removed the Jan 19 data from their website certainly suggests they were trying to hide it. The fact it then reappeared with their new Sep 19 figures magically added also suggests they were trying to bury something and deliver a very different message. Do you have anything, beyond the usual pro-LTN blah blah blah, that you can counter that accusation?

The Jan 19 East Dulwich Grove Central data, the council website, the disappearing data, the "new data", the new conclusions..a thread... Draw your own conclusions....this council is an utter omnishambles....

This is interesting. Is anyone else surprised given all the fanfare from Mr Norman et al that this isn't as impressive as you would have expected? Breaking 2018 Boris bike hires numbers with two weeks to go doesn't suggest as many people are using them as they touted.

It's going to be very interesting to see what happens to traffic flow numbers when the council reduces the operating hours. If modal shift has taken place then there should not be a huge increase. If all the LTNs have done is displace traffic elsewhere then you would expect an increase.

Ha ha... it doesn't seem the council is even sure themselves whether they collected the data or not...on one page of the report it says they didn't, on another it says it did. You'd expect more clarity and consistency and attention to detail from the council wouldn't you....it may not be a smoking gun but the gun has definitely been loaded don't you agree? It is an amazing coincidence don't you think that the numbers that we are arguing about, and the numbers that the council isn't sure whether they collected or not, are the ones showing the biggest increase in numbers that allows you to claim what a rip roaring success the LTNs are on your street? Funny that....

heartblock Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > For those unable to find the table that shows no > ACTUAL measurement in Sept 2019 on ED Grove > Central - which is the only 'count' used as a > baseline to show the magical decrease of 20% - so > the figure is just made up. So not scrabbling > around at all, no need as table is published. > If you want to believe a made-up number then fine, > personally I would much rather Southwark measures > pollution on ED Grove - which it either hasn't so > far, or it has and is not publishing. > Where is the air quality data? That is the > question all those who support road closures > should be asking - rather than gaslighting their > neighbours - maybe start supporting us on boundary > roads who have to put up with extra traffic and > pollution - why do you care so little about us? Heartblock - and there it is - the smoking gun. Despite the claims from Goldilocks to the contrary it is clear no data was ever collected for Sep 19 by the council. They took the Jan 19 numbers and magically added 3,000 or so journeys to arrive at the Sept 19 figure. They then suddenly decided to begin monitoring at the ED Central location and got figures that showed an increase on the Jan 19 figures - one wonders if this was the trigger for the ghost Sep 19 figures after the MG residents complained they didn't want the changes to the road layout Southwark suggested. The only way Southwark could justify no change would be that they could demonstrate that the MG closures were working as is and, magically, those numbers appeared......call me a cynic but I smell a rat! ;-) They are taking everyone for a ride.....and when people on here suggest we should not be analysing the data for holes I laugh to myself quite heartily at the idea that we should all just go about our business and turn a blind eye to corruption and manipulation of the democratic process. Imagine if everyone just turned a blind eye - (on a different scale obviously but...) they'd be no Watergate, No Cash for Questions, No Tory party parties - hell we would all probably think that Chernobyl was an unexplained freakish act of nature! Our council and councillors are supposed to be accountable to their constituents and at the moment Southwark and our local councillors are treating us with utter contempt and lying to us and refusing to engage with us because they are terrified of what we have uncovered as they know their process and output in relation to LTNs is as flawed at the LTNs themselves. They got away with it for years over things like the CPZs but now they have a problem on their hands as everyone is aware of the issues around the LTNs and it appears far more people in the area hate them than like them and we are months away from a council vote where a few hundred votes against them ends their political careers - particularly problematic for any of them that harbour desires to progress within the Labour party.

Goldilocks - absolutely it is too many. As a resident of that road do you believe it was nearly 4,000 cars a day - that seems an awfully high number? Are we to believe that Melbourne Grove had one third of the traffic Lordship Lane central is currently experiencing or half of the traffic going through the DV junction? It was busy and a cut-through but not that busy w. I have always said that I thought that Melbourne Grove was a justified closure because it was a cut-through but what I was hoping for was that those benefitting most from it might show a bit of community spirit for those living with the displacement - there seems to be way too much "I am alright Jack so it's all great" grandstanding going on at the moment.

Jenijenjen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I repeat, they are not moving in an upward > trajectory. Let readers of the forum decide for > themselves > > https://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/77415/B > us-Journey-Times_Dulwich-Streetspace_Sept-2021.pdf > > > BTW your snideness and mythologising is not doing > you any favours. They are moving in an upward trajectory - how do you explain the lift at the far right of the tables for most of the bus times......?

I would love to know how the council have arrived at their Sept 19 total. I wonder if the massive jump from Jan 19 to Sept 19 was by adding the supposed 3000 cars a day going along Melbourne Grove. I must admit 3,000 seems awfully high - that nearly half the numbers they were claiming were going through the DV junction everyday. But I love how some are championing that one section's EDG Central supposed "reduction" as a victory for the scheme. Wasn't it Cllr McAsh who said that if there wasn't a reduction on all roads then the scheme could not be considered a success - all we have to do is look at the EG South and East sections to determine whether his bar has been met....which it hasn.'t.

Jenijenjen - welcome to the course. You are our first patient....take a seat....;-) Take a look at all of the journey times from July of this year when lockdown lifted - pretty much all of them, bar Dulwich Village and Red Post Hill, are moving in an upward (slower) trend are they not? Many are now rising above the baseline average journey time and some peaking above the upper threshold of the average journey time. The trajectory suggests they would keep rising - but I very much suspect this latest work from home initiative will see them peaking and maybe dropping again but that is only because of the WFH directive.

AndrewC - are you actually looking at the data or just taking the councils propaganda and repeating it verbatim? Look at the charts for most bus journey times, what's happening to tbe charts towards the right hand side? Most are on an upward trend aren't they? What does that mean? It means that since lifting of lockdown bus journey times are getting slower....why might that be? Honestly, it's like dealing with brainwashed cult members....I might start a pro-LTN supporter intervention course to try and pull some of you back from the abyss....;-)

ab29 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sure, how easy to come up with pro LTN stats while > sitting in a comfy chair in a quiet house on a > recently closed road. > > Entirely different perspective when living on a > boundery road where all your traffic is now > redirected. > > Just because you don't see something anymore it > doesn't mean it stopped existing. Exactly this. No coincidence that so many who are so vocal in their support live on the closed roads. Goes some way to explain why so many object to what the council have done because they live with the fallout whilst tbe residents of roads like Melbourne live the "success" and come on here to herald the scheme as being great because their lives are made better on their tiny patch. Meanwhile they turn a blind eye to what is happening, quite literally, around the corner of their own street because of the measures that make their street "great". Modern socialism is really quite disappointing.

goldilocks Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've been through this several times above, but > its a site that had previous counts already. In > addition to the council ones that they used, there > were also DFT manual counts at that site so the > numbers can also be corroborated for > reasonableness. > > The site is 'new' for September and October > because it wasn't included in the previous > monitoring for the Streetspace programme of > monitoring. Not necessarily that it had never > been a monitoring site before now. > > The monitoring shows a 20% year on year fall in > all traffic on the central section of East Dulwich > Grove which is great news for people attending the > Health Centre, children walking to the charter > school ED and those using the new MUGA. > > Obviously though, as you have so clearly > documented, even a 20% fall as compared to pre > pandemic figures isn't enough and so more is > needed on East Dulwich Grove to deter driving. > I'd like to see parking removed, more space for > cycling and an extension to the CPZ hours to cover > 8-6 rather than 8:30-6:30 with enforcement of the > zone to stop school drop offs. I think that these > things would help. > > > heartblock Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > ... central 'This is a new site for data > > collection, having started in September 2021' - > so > > where is that pre-LTN data from...hmmmmmmm? Why wasnt it monitored before Sept 21? Surely if the council had monitoring done there previously it would make sense to monitor during the LTN phase? This is why people are so sceptical, nothing the council is doing makes any sense. Like adding one set of October numbers in a report focussed on Sept. Do they know what they are doing?

legalalien Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Out of interest Goldilocks how is it that you have > the October data? Are > you involved with the council, is the council > making it available to a select group, or is it > publicly available and you could send us all a > link? > > I say that as I?ve been keen all along for the > council to make raw data available to all at the > same time and without curation. I?m as much > concerned about process as outcome as process > issues apply to a much wider range of things. Maybe there is some truth to the rumours that selective briefings from the council have been given to pro-LTN groups.