Hammersmith and Fulham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Hammersmith and Fulham faces criticism for disregarding safety audit warnings that road narrowing measures could put cyclists at risk of side swipe collisions.
The council has asserted that the recommendations are “not justifiable given the nature and intent of the scheme” and that the worries are “disproportionate.” The new environment, on the other hand, has “safety at its heart” and seeks to “prioritise people rather than cars.”
Following a consultation in which businesses and people expressed a desire for a “high street, not a highway,” the London Borough of Fulham and Hammersmith (LBHF) placed four parklets with chairs and nine planters on Wandsworth Bridge Road in August of last year.
However, the council-commissioned Road Safety Audit (RSA) report, which was acquired through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, has identified several issues and suggestions about the traffic-calming measures implemented in low-traffic areas, such as prohibiting non-residential drivers from using the streets.
Narrowing the 20 mph two-way street could confuse drivers about which “line” to use while approaching oncoming traffic at the parklets, according to a report received by a resident.
“This could lead to side swipes or crash avoidance manoeuvres, which may result in cyclists and motorcyclists being struck as they filter through traffic or are overtaken,” the engineering consultancy said, calling for “more clarity [to be] provided to riders and drivers on how the space should be used”.
However, the council has rejected the advice, saying that “drivers and cyclists are not automatons [but] read the road… and follow the path of least resistance whilst being aware of their surroundings”.
It added:
“The new environment… will contribute to creating a sense of uncertainty and caution which will reduce speed further and help in improving safety for all users.”
The idea that putting a bus stop across from a parklet would create casualties because there would be “narrowing” of the highway and “no clear definition” of who had priority was also rejected.
The council said in the report the concerns were “not valid”, adding:
“All drivers in the UK are taught to drive on the left and it is highly unlikely that drivers held behind a stationary bus will temporarily forget this most fundamental principle of driving.”
The “Cyclists Use Control Position” placard, which is not a part of the Highway Code, was another issue brought up. Customers have questioned Atif Habib, the proprietor of Fulham Cycles on the Road, about what the “control position” entails.
Caroline Shuffrey, who obtained the documents and had previously claimed that the council’s parking cameras had made life in the borough like “living in North Korea”, said: “As a result of the numerous accidents and incidents involving the parklets, cyclists are now cycling on the pavement causing further danger to pedestrians.”
Shuffrey also raised the issue to the council in a public meeting in January, asking the council “if accidents occur in the manner foreseen by the safety audit professionals who in LBHF will take responsibility and who will pay compensation to the victims if LBHF is successfully sued”.
Councillor Sharon Holder, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, replied that on reviewing the RSA documents, they have determined that the council’s responses align with most of the designer’s responses, demonstrating that a high degree of professional rigour has been applied to reach a broad consensus across both responding organisations.
Where issues have been partially accepted or rejected by the design or overseeing organisation, they are reasonably assured that the associated risks are relatively small and that the recommendations made by the safety auditors are either disproportionate and/or not justifiable given the nature and intent of the scheme.
They would stress that the interventions are experimental at this stage and are subject to monitoring.
As overseeing authority, the safety of our residents and visitors is their utmost priority and it can be rest assured that adjustments or modifications can, and will, be implemented as required to ensure that the highest level of safety is maintained at all times.
While applauding council efforts to enhance air quality, Sarah McMonagle, Director of External Affairs at Cycling UK, emphasized that “they also need to come with clear signage that’s universally easy to understand.”
Gary Fannin, the head of the Wandsworth Bridge Road Association, which has advocated for the parklets, stated that they were “following the science and data” and that “the chief aim is to decrease the amount of traffic on the road” by “prioritizing people rather than cars.”
A council spokesperson added that “the vast majority” of the 14 recommendations were either fully or partially accepted, with two that were initially refused subsequently being approved, and that the reports were part of a “standard safety audit process” to assess and review the design.
They added that
“residents and businesses told us they want a high street, not a highway” and the interim scheme, which is still under construction and will include improved pedestrian crossings, benches and “decluttering pavements”, will return the road to its “former self at the centre of the community”.
“These measures have safety at their heart,” they said.
“They will reduce congestion on the road, manage vehicle speeds more effectively and create a safer, cleaner and greener environment while increasing opportunities for businesses.”
What are the safety concerns Hammersmith and Fulham council has faced installing parklets?
According to the council’s safety assessment, bicycles may be more vulnerable to side-swiping accidents if the route is narrowed. The council installed the parklets in spite of these conclusions.
The decision has drawn harsh criticism from the local Conservative opposition organization, which refers to the parklets as “obscene creations” and has started a petition. They contend that by forcing bikes into the flow of traffic, the parklets create an obstacle course that could result in fatal collisions.
The parklets, according to the council, are a component of a larger effort to increase safety by lowering traffic and driving speeds. They contend that these actions will benefit nearby companies and make the route a safer place for all users.