FAQs

We have undertaken pedestrian surveys which indicate that a large number of pedestrians cross Streatham High Road where no formalised crossing points are present close to the junction of Streatham High Road and Gracefield Gardens. Our observations indicated that the presence of bus stops nearby and also the large health centre at 2-8 Gracefield Gardens as well as local shops, are reasons for a strong pedestrian desire line at this point. Pedestrians crossing the road informally at this point has led to a high number of collisions which we need to address.

In order to accommodate this desire line appropriately and therefore effectively reduce risk-taking behaviour, the relocated crossing would need to be directly at the junction of Gracefield Gardens and so the road needs to be closed off to motor traffic. However, the proposals do mean that there would be a safe place to cross the High Road where people wish to cross. 

Due to the location of the Kwik-Fit garage exit just to the north of Gracefield Gardens and the southbound bus stops just to the south, the only location where it is possible to provide a relocated crossing that will serve the clear pedestrian desire line is at the junction of Gracefield Gardens and the A23, requiring the closure of Gracefield Gardens. 

It is not possible to relocate these bus stops any further south due to the location of the signalised junction at Pendennis Road/Becmead Avenue and potential issues with signal visibility if the bus stops were moved any further south. It would also mean moving the bus stops away from nearby attractors. 

If Gracefield Gardens was to be kept open to some or all traffic movements, this would impact where the crossing could be placed in order to ensure there was adequate visibility of the signals for turning traffic. This would likely result in the crossing being placed away from the key desire line and thus not solving the issue of pedestrians crossing informally and the subsequent collisions. 

The closure of Gracefield Gardens has an additional safety benefit of reducing collisions between turning vehicles into Gracefield Gardens and cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, as well as providing an opportunity to improve the public realm through additional tree planting and seating.

In order to accommodate this desire line appropriately and therefore effectively reduce risk-taking behaviour, the relocated crossing would need to be directly at the junction of Gracefield Gardens and so the road needs to be closed off to motor traffic. However, the proposals do mean that there would be a safe place to cross the High Road where people wish to cross. 

There is a clear desire line for pedestrians wishing to cross Streatham High Road at the junction of Gracefield Gardens and our on-site observations have indicated that those people trying to cross the road informally at this point are often not easy to see while waiting on the central reservation due to the presence of the trees. In order to install a safe crossing we would need to remove three existing trees in the central reservation in order to provide good visibility for the pedestrian crossing and to accommodate the necessary signal infrastructure. 

After the removal of the crossing further to the north we intend to plant seven new trees (subject to ground conditions) in order to maintain biodiversity and a pleasant urban realm. The closure of Gracefield Gardens will also provide a space where there is potential for the environment to be improved which could include new seating and additional greening/planting. 

Depending on the origin and destination of traffic, vehicles currently making the left turn from the A23 into Gracefield Gardens from the north would be expected to use Leigham Avenue and Woodleigh Gardens. As an example, a vehicle accessing the health centre on Gracefield Gardens, via the A23 into Gracefield Gardens is 270 metres in distance (1 minute journey time via private vehicle) and 412 metres via Leigham Avenue and Woodleigh Gardens (2 minutes journey time via private vehicle).

Vehicles which would normally turn left from Gracefield Gardens into the A23 would be expected to reassign to the nearby signalised junction at Pendennis Road, this is a diversion of approximately 600 metres (2 minutes journey time via private vehicle).

Data from 2018 indicates that in a 24 hour period approximately 500 vehicles make the left turn into Gracefield Gardens and approximately 700 vehicles make the left turn out of Gracefield Gardens, with a maximum of approximately 50 vehicles in the peak hour turning left into and 55 vehicles turning left out of Gracefield Gardens. Modelling has been undertaken to assess the impact of the additional traffic at the Pendennis Road/Becmead Avenue junction, this indicates that the impact on this junction would be manageable, with the closure of Gracefield Gardens.

In order to allow smaller vehicles to turn around at the end of Gracefield Gardens, we are proposing the removal of the disabled/loading bay on Gracefield Gardens, close to the junction with the High Road. The accessible parking bay outside the surgery on Gracefield Gardens will be retained. There is also a loading/accessible bay on the A23 Streatham High Road approximately 70 metres from the bay being removed, we will also be providing more seating (three benches in total) which are proposed between this bay on the A23 and the surgery on Gracefield Gardens, to provide rest points. Gracefield Gardens is part of the borough road network and is not currently part of a controlled parking zone, there are no restrictions on vehicles parking or waiting on Gracefield Gardens, within approximately 40 metres of the surgery.