Fortis Green Junction

6 MARCH 2010 THE ARCHER - 08717 334465 The power of Fortis Green junction: pilates changes ahead By Fay Sanders Our article last month on Barnet Council’s proposed alterations to the junction of High Road, Fortis Green and East End Road provoked a flurry of letters and com- A new business has ment from ARCHER readers. opened its doors in Many remain to be con- light filter arrow for northbound of a right-turn arrow and will Church Lane and vinced that reducing the traffic turning into Fortis Green, assess the adequacy of cross- its fully-equipped size of the pavement outside and to increase the time given ing times for pedestrians. studio has been Domino’s Pizza, removing the for pedestrians to negotiate the Meanwhile, in a Letters piquing the Fortis Green pedestrian island junction. Special, here is a selection interest of local and removing guard rails on In correspondence seen by of your comments and reac- residents. Pilates all corners of the junction will THE ARCHER, Barnet Council tion to the council’s plans. improve pedestrian safety. has promised to review the You can write to us at THE Nation group Others called on the council junction’s signal operations in ARCHER, PO Box 3699, founder Alison to use this opportunity finally the next financial year. They London N2 8JA or email the- Goodman says: to introduce a right-turn traffic will investigate the possibility [email protected] “People have been popping Junction bollards were Not enough time to Junction changes will their heads in and Alison Goodman with the ‘Cadillac’. Photo there for a reason cross threaten safety asking what it’s by Fay Sanders Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Dear Editor, all about. Several sign stress relief, as well as relief Regarding the report in THE Thank you for the informa- I am very worried about the up, while others just call from joint and back prob- ARCHER about proposals for safety tive article in the February issue changes planned for the junc- by to welcome me to the lems are just some of the improvements at the junction of regarding the High Road and Fortis tion between the High Road community.” many proven benefits of the High Road N2 with Fortis Green Green junction. I have noted the and Fortis Green. The pave- In full view of the main practice invented by German- and East End Road, I have lived in list of the proposed changes, which ment is already very narrow window lies a giant, bed- born Joseph Hubertus Pilates East Finchley for 35 years so know seem appropriate. coming to Domino’s Pizza shaped contraption, curiously in the early 1900s. the junction and its physical limita- I am disappointed that there from Fortis Green. I have three tions well. I have spent some time in children under six years old so named the ‘Cadillac’, decked Meeting different needs is no mention of altering the dura- the past discussing problems with tion of the green traffic lights for removing the guard-rails at such with a bewildering array of “Everyone’s needs are council traffic engineers. I hope the a busy junction seems criminal paraphernalia. Further into different,” explained Alison. pedestrians. At present the green information below will be helpful. lights are too short in duration for to me. The more space, the the studio, rows of ‘towers’ “Three years ago I worked The article says the council faster the vehicles go. (the apparatus) and ‘mats’ with a client suffering from pedestrians to cross the roads. is proposing to remove the steel Yours faithfully, The trouble for pedestrians (for floor exercises) stretch a brain tumour, who had lost bollards from both sides of Fortis is that the crossing time is not into the main room where the feeling in one side of his Natasha Butler, Green. The reason the bollards Leicester Road, N2. currently long enough, which is classes take place. body.” She is considering were put there was to stop a safety hazard for toddlers and Alison put your ARCHER putting on a special class pavement parking on both sides. pre-schoolers, disabled or older representatives through their for men, whose needs are Motorists had a regular habit of A bridge would be better people. If pedestrian safety is paces in a series of carefully different to those of women. parking on the pavement to visit Dear Editor, the reason for these changes, explained exercises, which “Men tend to be less flex- businesses. Thanks for highlighting the they have been very poorly were surprisingly challeng- ible than women, but have At a later stage the bollards changes proposed at the junction planned. ing for two physically fit greater physical strength,” were extended towards Fairlawn of Fortis Green and the High Road, How about making the cross- girls in their early 30s. she said. Avenue to stop motorists driving which I use several times daily. In ing time longer for pedestrians, Improved strength, sta- For more information, visit on the pavement to get into the left my opinion, these combine to raise keeping the guard-rails and bility and flexibility, better www.pilatesnation.co.uk or turn lane when the lane was partially the danger level to pedestrians at having a safe crossing from posture, flatter stomach, telephone 020 8444 5244. blocked by stationary traffic in the this crossing by a significant one side of Fortis Green to the right hand lane. degree. On my first reading of the other before the junction so that proposals, I was fully expecting Bar / Waiting Staff Required I hope the other measures pro- people in Fortis Green feel they posed will make improvements. The the inclusion of a footbridge, so can safely go shopping? The Bald Faced Stag are looking for an enthusiastic & problem of heavy vehicles turning at dangerous does it all seem. If this becomes more unsafe, dedicated person to join our team. A minimum of 1 years the Domino’s Pizza corner is long Yours faithfully, then people will have to revert experience in a similar role is a must, as is knowledge & standing (the traffic signals have Prem Stasopoullos, to using their cars to go shop- passion for good food & wine. Opportunity to progress been demolished many times and Diploma Avenue, N2. ping which I don’t think is the within a company that recognises potential. the pavement continuously dam- right thing for the area or the Send a CV FAO Laurie. aged). All pedestrians using this Don’t miss this chance environment. [email protected] Tel: 020 8442 1201 junction will be concerned with Dear Editor, Yours faithfully, moving the kerb line. How much While changing this junc- Isabelle Roberts pavement are they proposing to tion so radically (for the better Address supplied. remove? as far as I can tell) no doubt at �� Yours faithfully, considerable expense and with Filter required Peter Hale considerable disruption, please Dear Edtior, �� Springcroft Avenue, N2. can we incorporate a small but Having just read about the �� enormously important change to proposals for the improvements Junction traffic should the traffic light sequencing at the to the crossroad at Fortis Green �� crossroads to incorporate a short and High Road, in all this proposed be filtered but hugely effective right-turn filter work and dislocation the vital thing �� Dear Editor, for traffic heading north up the High that is missing is a filter light to The one most obvious improve- Road? For years, drivers have had help northbound traffic on the High �� ment not listed in the proposals for to wait patiently for two or three Road to turn into Fortis Green. improving the junction of the High cars at best (or one bus) to turn It would be of great help �� Road, East End Road and Fortis right at each light sequence. in easing the traffic jams and Green is the installation of a filter I know every motorist I have long waits there. This sugges- traffic light for the traffic going north ever asked about this agrees. It tion has been brought up at �� on the High Road and turning right has infuriated locals like myself for numerous public meetings since into Fortis Green. This would cer- years. We even have to take ridicu- Baronsmere Road was closed to tainly improve the flow of traffic at lous measures like u-turning and northbound traffic. I hope Barnet that point. going past the junction then to turn Council will now give this serious I would also question the right down the narrow county roads consideration. wisdom of removing the guard-rails just to avoid the usual minimum of Yours faithfully, on the corners of the junction. If the five or six changes of light. Stanley Price, kerb lines are being moved back, This is an opportunity to help Address supplied. the guard-rails should be replaced bus passengers and motorists no on the new corners as this is a end, yet at marginal cost. Please Send your correspondence �� safety factor for pedestrians. let’s not miss it. to: “Letters Page”, �� Yours faithfully, Yours faithfully, The Archer, PO Box 3699, Joyce Arram London N2 8JA or e-mail �� John Mcknight, Summerlee Gardens, N2 Fortis Green, N2 [email protected]..

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