TfL consultation: A406 crossing at Palmerston Road N13
The proposed changes by TfL are on their website here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/bowes-road-palmerston-road/
Some initial thoughts are:
1) The staggered crossing already makes crossing by bike or on foot slow and unpleasant, with a long wait on the island where air quality is bad. A one-stage crossing would be far preferable. This is a route used by families on their way to school.
On this point, I've noticed that when there is a green light to cross the A406 eastbound, westbound traffic seems to be held at the A105 lights - so it is sometimes possible to cross the whole road if you ignore the red signal on the westbound side. Surely therefore this could be converted to a green signal all the way across without delaying traffic?
2) A modal filter where Palmerston Road meets the A406 would make that section of the route much safer and more attractive for walking and cycling.
3) A wider point worth making: If Palmerston Road is part of Quietway 10, then surely more than one filter is necessary along its length to make it low-traffic and low-speed. Currently cycling on it is stressful, as a narrow road where drivers may be impatient at being behind a bike. Filtering would improve it both as a cycling route and for residents. This is especially important given that there are no plans to provide safe space for cycling on Green Lanes south of Palmerston Crescent, so filtering Palmerston Road could create a safe route for commuter cycling which currently doesn't exist.