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Third car crash in £250k ‘safer’ road
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| "Inevitable": the scene of the accident in Partingdale Lane, Mill Hill, on Monday morning |
A third crash in less than six months on a road plagued by controversy has reignited fears over the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
The smash in Partingdale Lane, Mill Hill, happened despite new safety measures costing £250,000.
Two cars collided at around 8am on Monday, leaving a 40-year-old woman with minor injuries and adding to a poor safety record in the months since the lane reopened to traffic.
The narrow winding road was closed as a through-road four years ago on safety grounds, but last October, £250,000 of safety measures were finished and the lane reopened.
The reopening came after a long-running battle between residents, who wanted the road kept closed, and Councillor Brian Coleman, who argued drivers had a right to use it.
But residents and critics of Mr Coleman have described the improvements, including traffic islands, a pavement, width restrictions and a flashing speed sign, as a "white elephant" and say they have failed to reduce the danger.
Anne Rowe-Parr, 46, lives with her young family in Partingdale Lane. The latest crash happened outside her home.
She said: "It's very dangerous. People go far too fast and it's a complete cut-through. It was an accident waiting to happen.
"There's a pavement on one side and it's quite scary to walk on it because it's not that wide and people do go very, very fast."
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It was inevitable. Our biggest fear is somebody will die if nothing changes."
The road has been closed and reopened repeatedly in the past and the feud between residents and the council even went to the High Court in April 2003, where Mr Coleman's role was criticised by a judge.
In September last year, Mr Coleman described the reopening of the road as a "victory for democracy" and accused residents of fighting a "dirty campaign".
Mr Coleman then accused residents of faking the first accident after the reopening, a collision between two cars in December.
Wayne Casey, a Liberal Democrat Mill Hill ward councillor, believes the only safe option would have been to keep the road closed.
He derided the money spent as a waste. "I honestly believe that if it had been left to Coleman's council colleagues they would not have spent it because it's a total waste of public money," he said. "It's a complete white elephant.
"Brian Coleman is like a child with a favourite toy. He just wouldn't let this go and his colleagues let him do it to make up for the fact that they'll never make him leader of the council.
"It makes you ashamed of local government. It's an unmitigated disgrace, but they can get away with it because we're apathetic and let people like Coleman rule the roost."
Mr Coleman, cabinet member responsible for community safety, said he was too busy to comment on the latest incident.
Councillor Andrew Harper, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "Council officers will work with police to establish the reasons for the accident.
"Once these factors are known there may be a need to review the operation of traffic controls."
See comment page 8
8:26am Thursday 22nd May 2008
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Posted by: Bill, Barnet on 10:16am Thu 22 May 08
[quote]At this very moment, perhaps, Toad is busy arraying himself in those singularly hideous habiliments so dear to him[/quote]
At this very moment, perhaps, Toad is busy arraying himself in those singularly hideous habiliments so dear to him
Posted by: Bill, Barnet on 10:16am Thu 22 May 08
[quote]At this very moment, perhaps, Toad is busy arraying himself in those singularly hideous habiliments so dear to him[/quote]
At this very moment, perhaps, Toad is busy arraying himself in those singularly hideous habiliments so dear to him
Posted by: John C, New Barnet on 2:43pm Thu 22 May 08
You couldn't make it up!
[quote]Mr Coleman, cabinet member responsible for community safety, said he was too busy to comment on the latest incident.[/quote]
You couldn't make it up!
Mr Coleman, cabinet member responsible for community safety, said he was too busy to comment on the latest incident.
Posted by: Don G, Barnet on 5:45pm Thu 22 May 08
The irrational aspect to Partingdale lane is the wider straighter, safer, road avaible which runs immediately alongside through the neighbouring developement.
The planners might have liked to have insisted on a new road straight through the old Barracks site as was their perogative.
We can only hope that Coleman is proud of the great white elephant which is Partingdale Lane.
The irrational aspect to Partingdale lane is the wider straighter, safer, road avaible which runs immediately alongside through the neighbouring developement.
The planners might have liked to have insisted on a new road straight through the old Barracks site as was their perogative.
We can only hope that Coleman is proud of the great white elephant which is Partingdale Lane.
Posted by: Leonard on 6:06pm Thu 22 May 08
Oh well perhaps Coleman will realise his mistake when a large horse comes through the windscreen of the mayoral car he's partial to being driven in (is he still banned from driving by the way?) as it whizzes down the Lane. If I'm driving by, I will call the local vet but not the Ambulance Service! And, Bill, incidentally the vet will not be for Toad!!
Oh well perhaps Coleman will realise his mistake when a large horse comes through the windscreen of the mayoral car he's partial to being driven in (is he still banned from driving by the way?) as it whizzes down the Lane. If I'm driving by, I will call the local vet but not the Ambulance Service! And, Bill, incidentally the vet will not be for Toad!!
Posted by: John on 8:45pm Thu 22 May 08
Bad roads don't cause accidents. Stupid bloody drivers do!! A windy road means go slower, flashing lights be careful. Closing the road just causes the legitimate drivers delays and the bad drivers will just cause accidents maybe worse on bigger more dangerous roads.
Bad roads don't cause accidents. Stupid bloody drivers do!! A windy road means go slower, flashing lights be careful. Closing the road just causes the legitimate drivers delays and the bad drivers will just cause accidents maybe worse on bigger more dangerous roads.
Posted by: Bev, Mill HIll on 10:00pm Thu 22 May 08
[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote:
Bad roads don't cause accidents. Stupid bloody drivers do!! A windy road means go slower, flashing lights be careful. Closing the road just causes the legitimate drivers delays and the bad drivers will just cause accidents maybe worse on bigger more dangerous roads.[/quote] Hear hear very well said. About time people stopped getting excited over Partingdale lane and drove their cars responsibly and safely.
John wrote:
Bad roads don't cause accidents. Stupid bloody drivers do!! A windy road means go slower, flashing lights be careful. Closing the road just causes the legitimate drivers delays and the bad drivers will just cause accidents maybe worse on bigger more dangerous roads.
Hear hear very well said. About time people stopped getting excited over Partingdale lane and drove their cars responsibly and safely.
Posted by: Copy Cat, LEgitimate point on 10:10pm Thu 22 May 08
Fact is motorists will drive as fast as they can. They always do, this is a phenomenon known as 'risk compensation', so diverting traffic through a housing estate would probably be an equally poor move. Partingdale Lane should be closed again (politicians and tabloid editors really should recognise that it is a sign of strength to recognize and acknowledge when you're wrong). Traffic flow will be impaired as a result of such a closure, but surely if that reduces the average speed of traffic through the area, that's a good thing?
Oh I forgot, "Speed is Good". Poop poop!
But, there are people out there who deny human nature, but that will not change the basic facts.
Fact is motorists will drive as fast as they can. They always do, this is a phenomenon known as 'risk compensation', so diverting traffic through a housing estate would probably be an equally poor move. Partingdale Lane should be closed again (politicians and tabloid editors really should recognise that it is a sign of strength to recognize and acknowledge when you're wrong). Traffic flow will be impaired as a result of such a closure, but surely if that reduces the average speed of traffic through the area, that's a good thing?
Oh I forgot, "Speed is Good". Poop poop!
But, there are people out there who deny human nature, but that will not change the basic facts.
Posted by: chris, Jamaica on 3:05am Fri 23 May 08
Could 2 plate reading speed cameras at either end be fixed up to check on the average speed through the lane?
Could 2 plate reading speed cameras at either end be fixed up to check on the average speed through the lane?
Posted by: TimberWolf, Barnet on 9:19am Fri 23 May 08
Should Partingdale Lane be renamed Brian Coleman Way?
Should Partingdale Lane be renamed Brian Coleman Way?
Posted by: Dave, Colindale on 11:00am Fri 23 May 08
Yes, as in Brian Coleman {always has his) Way
Yes, as in Brian Coleman {always has his) Way
Posted by: Phil Crowther, Times Series Newspapers on 2:57pm Sun 25 May 08
And...once again, I've deleted a comment and called a halt...we all got a bit personal.
Please understand that questioning the judgement and motives of others is permitted, and vindictive personal insults are not.
Phil Crowther,
Editor.
And...once again, I've deleted a comment and called a halt...we all got a bit personal.
Please understand that questioning the judgement and motives of others is permitted, and vindictive personal insults are not.
Phil Crowther,
Editor.
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