West Wickham pavement widening

Wider footpaths are essential for wheelchairs and pushchairs, as are cycle lanes. Policies to reduce and/or divert diesel/ petrol engined traffic from the high street are to be encouraged.

The pavement widening doesn't really work for pedestrians, runners or motorists. The path width varies along its length so that there are still pinch points especially for runners or mobility scooters moving at a different speed to other users. The narrowing has also created noticeably more traffic congestion which cannot be a good thing for pedestrians exposed to more noxious fumes than a free-er flowing road. The survival of retail also depends on easy parking and the restrictions have removed several spaces. Whilst the green warriors would probably like to ban all cars, the reality is that passing trade is vital as some people will choose to shop in West Wickham if they can park easily and that will ensure its survival at a time when many other streets are failing. That is ultimately to the detriment of everyone whether you own a car or not. Looking back over many years - Portland Road in South Norwood was once a shopping destination that is no more as restrictions were introduced; o
however, Lordship Lane in East Dulwich has plentiful parking and retains a vibrant shipping scene.

Please remove the pavement widening. It narrows the road, increases the traffic and therefore the pollution, impedes local business and as far as I can see serves no useful purpose. West Wickham is a valuable local high street with some real shops. Please let's keep it that way

The pavement widening in the Hugh sewer should be removed. It is causing havoc during the day

I would like to see the pavements returned to their original size. Covid 19 will be with us for a long time.
When walking in the high street we are in the open air. Space is better used to keep the traffic moving and for parking to encourage shoppers.

Please remove the barriers and do not widen pavements there has been so much traffic congestion due to the barriers and the removal of parking bays has had a detrimental effect on some of businesses in the High St. At this time also it would be a total waste of money to widen the pavement just remove the barriers and return West Wickham High St to normal.

I would like to see the barriers removed in the High Street. The chances of catching Covid outdoors and with only fleeting contact between pedestrians anyway, are and always were, very very slim. The barriers are unnecessary and unsightly.

The barriers need to taken out, but the space should not be given back to cars. Instead, use the opportunity to make the high street more green / eco friendly by introducing more trees and permanently segregated cycle lanes. This will improve road safety, encourage people to exercise and reduce cars / pollution.

The high street is an area for people to shop in, meet people, take coffee and eat food. I would pave it over as a shared space between people and traffic. Psychologically people would have the right of way, traffic would slow, local businesses would thrive, and the environment would be far better. There are good examples of this working well on the continent.

I would like the pavements to revert to what they were before Covid, wider paths are not needed for the current footfall in the area and more on street parking is needed, the footpath widening should be removed and no further money spent on changing the high street from how it used to be.

Please remove the temporary barriers ASAP. Vehicles are forced towards the road centre potentially into the path of oncoming traffic, especially buses and larger lorries.
The two lane junction at the top end of the high street heading towards Glebe Way is reduced to one lane so that any traffic trying to turn right is held in the incorrect lane or tries to bypass the long queue in the “left hand” lane by veering into the oncoming lane and obviously the oncoming traffic.
The High Street is a main thoroughfare (RedRoute) and can be very busy. These barriers whilst intended to assist during the main Covid outbreak have served their purpose and now provide a safety hazard to road users.

The worst bottleneck is by the traffic lights at the Swan - even in non COVID times it can be difficult to negotiate but I don’t see a simple solution - perhaps a mirror to see if anyone is coming round the corner. Other than that I think top priority should be given to those less able than myself who could not get to a shop or cafe without the use of a car and parking spaces.

Thanks for asking how local residents feel. I would like the barriers removed please. People round here are mostly very consdierate and wait for others to pass if the pavement is narrowed. As a cyclist the barriers/wider pavements push me out into the car area of the road which can feel vulnerable/dangerous. . When walking with my shopping trolley I find the kerbs etc annoying. Please remove the barriers and leave Wickham High Street as it was.

Can’t see the point, the pavements are wide enough anyway and reducing the road width doesn’t achieve anything either way.
Restore pavements to their normal width

Please remove them! They cause traffic backlogs anc chaos.

I think that this is a bad idea now that we are in the process of getting lives back to normal we will not need to keep apart from fellow pedestrians also the traffic congestion has increased enormously and there is a distinct lack of parking spaces

Remove the widening now.

Thank you for asking about whether to keep the pavement widening scheme in West Wickham High Street.
Please remove these as soon as possible. There is absolutely no benefit in having these additional barriers for social distancing as transmission of viruses does not generally take place outside. They make the pavement difficult to negotiate for anyone with mobility aids or pushchairs or trolleys. They look an eyesore & have removed parking opportunities for residents.
I was annoyed that you did not ask before implementing this scheme as democracy requires that the local population is consulted prior to changes instead of one year on.

I believe the proposal to make these barriers permanent is just another cynical ploy by TfL to make car use difficult and hence an attempt to restrict access to private vehicular use!

Definitely remove these eyesores, they had minimal effect and were just obstacles to avoid. As a regular Walker on the high street and driver, the space is now needed for the benefit of the local businesses….it’s a no brainier!