The Sloane Square Shared Use of the road experiment

[PeckhamRose]

What does East Dulwich think?

I agree with the idea but I absolutely agree with the blind man who said he could not therefore tell whether he was on the pavement or the road.

If that problem can be sorted out do we think it is a good idea, or a bad one?

Basically, outside Sloane Square tube at the junction with Holbein Place, the road / pavement area has no markings, which makes people pay attention a bit more, and this can only be a good thing. In my opinion as both a pedestrian and a biker.

[Horsebox]

Haven't seen this - I avoid Sloane Square on my way home now. If this was on place 3-4 months ago then I can only say that I didn't notice any pedestrians taking extra care before walking out into the road. Have almost hit a few that have a stepped out in front of my bike like they didn't have a care in the world. Although this can happen anywhere...stupid pedestrians.(6)

[PeckhamRose]

It's here.

[SCSB79]

Lived in Chelsea before moving here and went back a while ago and nearly got run over on that bit of road... it is useless.. anyone coming right out of the tube that does not know what it is will walk straight out into the "road". It certainly does not make you "think" more about it. Most people will just think it is fully pedestrianised.

[PeckhamRose]

We have to disagree. I think that when you are unsure of what is in front of you, then it makes you think about what is in front of you... People on mobiles wondering across and not looking - that'll teach 'em.

[Brendan]

The idea is known as "naked streets". They have used similar things in Europe for a number of years to differing effect. Most notably in the Netherlands where it has been very successful. The emphasis there has been on taking away signs and restrictions for the motorists specifically forcing them to be aware of where they are and what is around them.

[dulwichmum]

We should never take our lead from the Netherlands. Their attitude towards body hair is most offensive...

[SeanMacGabhann]

I was over Sloane Square way a couple of weeks ago - I'm with PeckhamRose on this one. Just because people have developed sloppy, lazy, selfish habits (both pedestrians and drivers) doesn't mean we should just indulge those habits rather than try and improve things

I've recently read

Traffic - What we drive and what it says about us

and was very impressed by much of the work being done globally. Taking an insular "it's not right!" approach isn't too helpful.

If nothing else - if it doesn't improve traffic flow, or fatalities or speeds - if it only achieves some sort of breakdown in the barriers that exist between "them and us" then it will be useful

[PeckhamRose]

Indeed, and whilst the raised pavement bits and central reservationh bits still exist, much of Walworth Road was designed along these lines in that there should be no signs everywhere. One of the councillors who posts on here told us about the hassle he faced trying to get Walworth Road plan proved. My main problem with it is that as the road area itself is quite narrow, bikers and cyclists can't over take stationery traffic and busses as easily and safely.

I often ride around Sloane Square and I do like the design, but I do truly want to know what the answer is to the blind people* who raised the points they raised in the news reports.

*Or whatever the pc people would say.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Wouldn't it be feasible that blind people would be noticed (I'm guessing some sort of dog/cane/glasses combo might give the game away) by drivers who would react accordingly?

[Applespider]

I cross this most days since I work near Sloane Square and it really doesn't work well. Pedestrians assume since it's one pavement that they can just stroll across with right of way and taxis/cars assume they have right of way and barrel through without particularly slowing down. It's really not very clear what's going on.

There's been no real education on it so until people become a bit more aware of the concept, I think we'll still see the tooting horns and people leaping out of the way on that stretch.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Surely that's to be expected during the initial stages tho Applespider - we are talking about a major shift in behaviour so it will take time

I imagine when they did away with that fella waving a fkag in front of the car there was an outcry too - about safety AND job losses but we surely wouldn't go back?

I'm not decided on this yet - I think it's an interesting direction and I'd like to see it work. Whether it will remains to be seen

[PeckhamRose]

But the point about blind people is that they don't necessarily know they have crossed into a road, whereas if they step (or fall) down off the pavement they know the situation.

But I do think that if more of these were put in to place all at the same time across London, there would be major publicity about it and that would be a good thing. I can't wait to see the Exhibition Road example start and was amazed at the news the other night saying that it was going to cost (was it millions?) a lot of money to do it. Just get rid of the signs, smooth the edge of the pavement to blend in with the road, and remember and abide by the first rule of the road.

Which is???