Key points
Traffic flows
Data from DfT Annual average daily flows, 2012
Count Point Location AADF E'ward AADF W'd
47604 RNR East arm 8,210 13,316
48701 Hawkstone Rd 5,921 797
58323 RNR West arm 14,485 12,728
- Main traffic flows are EW along Rotherhithe New Rd
- The roundabout is not needed
- A scheme closing Hawkstone Rd at the SW end allows a simpler and safer road layout plus public realm gains
Traffic flows
Data from DfT Annual average daily flows, 2012
Count Point Location AADF E'ward AADF W'd
47604 RNR East arm 8,210 13,316
48701 Hawkstone Rd 5,921 797
58323 RNR West arm 14,485 12,728
The main flow is E-W along Rotherhithe New Road (RNR), with about a third of traffic cutting down Hawkstone Rd when going (north)eastward. Hawkstone Road is virtually unused going (south)westward. Abbeyfield Rd us a no thorough route to a smallish estate, so traffic will be light. So the immediate question is: why have we a roundabout here at all? It would be interesting to know the history of what seems a ridiculous piece of road planning, but for now we need to look at a 21st century solution.
Remove the roundabout.
The traffic flows show that the roundabout is completely unnecessary. A simple set of t-junctions would do, simplified further by making Hawkstone road one-way NE-wards. Such an arrangement releases a nice piece of public realm and greatly simplifies the organisation of crossings.
But why not do something much more attractive? Block off Hawkstone road and allow access only from the 1-way system, plus maybe a fire gate at the SW end. This creates a delightful lightly trafficked road along the East edge of Southwark Park. It greatly enhances access to the park, especially for the large Primary School. Makes that school much safer, as it does the medical centre on Hawkstone Rd.
Figure 2 shows a rough version of the proposed layout.
Remove the roundabout.
The traffic flows show that the roundabout is completely unnecessary. A simple set of t-junctions would do, simplified further by making Hawkstone road one-way NE-wards. Such an arrangement releases a nice piece of public realm and greatly simplifies the organisation of crossings.
But why not do something much more attractive? Block off Hawkstone road and allow access only from the 1-way system, plus maybe a fire gate at the SW end. This creates a delightful lightly trafficked road along the East edge of Southwark Park. It greatly enhances access to the park, especially for the large Primary School. Makes that school much safer, as it does the medical centre on Hawkstone Rd.
Figure 2 shows a rough version of the proposed layout.
There would be clear through route, apart from a signalled crossing, for the main EW traffic. The minority of traffic currently cutting through Hawkstone Rd could easily be carried on the 1-way system. Note that the extra flow along Rotherhithe Old Rd is about 20%, not enough to significantly alter the normal slow pattern of peak-hour traffic on the Surrey Quays 1-way system. Cars have to travel a bit further, but no longer have to negotiate a large roundabout.
The cost may be a bit higher initially than the proposal that has been presented, but there would be much less signage to maintain and fewer crossings required. Something quite imaginative ought to be possible in terms of linking Southwark Park to RNR. There is also the possibility of improving the pedestrian and cycle crossing at Lower Rd when the Cycle Superhighway comes through (and especially if the Surrey Quays redevelopment goes ahead). This could provide a safe cycling/walking link along Hawkstone Rd and across into Surrey Quays.
Simply fiddling with the roundabout as proposed will in the long term be a waste of resources. As the traffic flows show, the roundabout should never have been built and will, sooner or later, be removed. So why not save money, take the long-term view, and remove the roundabout now?
Council consltation document and plan here
Download as word doc
The cost may be a bit higher initially than the proposal that has been presented, but there would be much less signage to maintain and fewer crossings required. Something quite imaginative ought to be possible in terms of linking Southwark Park to RNR. There is also the possibility of improving the pedestrian and cycle crossing at Lower Rd when the Cycle Superhighway comes through (and especially if the Surrey Quays redevelopment goes ahead). This could provide a safe cycling/walking link along Hawkstone Rd and across into Surrey Quays.
Simply fiddling with the roundabout as proposed will in the long term be a waste of resources. As the traffic flows show, the roundabout should never have been built and will, sooner or later, be removed. So why not save money, take the long-term view, and remove the roundabout now?
Council consltation document and plan here
Download as word doc
rotherhithe_new_road_roundabout.doc |