Urban Activism Pays off on Small Parade of Shops

Traffic warden on Stonecot Hill

Photograph taken by Adrian Short: http://bit.ly/wHUl7e

Five years ago Adrian Short started a campaign against agressive parking measures on a small parade of shops called Stonecot Hill. At the time CCTV cameras were giving parking tickets, side roads as well as main roads were also designated as red routes, TfL tow away trucks were empounding peoples cars and traffic wardens were a regular feature. All this traffic enforcement resulted in Stonecot Hill  suffering from a reported significant loss of local trade. Most of the shops depended on people being able to park their cars, due to the fact that the shops supplied local traders in plumbing, electrical and carpets among many other goods.

After a successful petition (2000 signatures) to TfL to review the parking arrangements, several meetings ensued between traders, residents, Paul Burstow MP and representatives from TfL. As a result Stonecot Hill now has better more relaxed parking facilities in the side roads along Stonecot Hill.

At the same time when this was happening I wrote to TfL to ask them to either remove the empty planters which acted as a barrier to pedestrians or to fill the empty planters with plants. Councillor Brendan Hudson also appealed to TfL to put in a crossing opposite the doctors surgery.

After all this it seems our hard work in persuading TfL to improve Stonecot Hill has paid off. We now have relaxed parking bays where people can park up to two hours, at grade crossings, including one opposite the doctors surgery,  comfortable benches, improved pavements and the planters have been removed and replaced with trees. Success!

Public realm improvements

New at grade crossing opposite the doctors surgery

At grade crossing opposite cafe

New benches with generous arms and backs

New tarmac paving

Removal of planters which created barriers for pedestrians

Removal of cobblestones, planters and ugly bollards

Photograph taken by Adrian Short: http://bit.ly/xrZs6f

What it means for people

Relaxed parking measures means that hopefully the local economy will benefit. Stonecot Hill is also now a more accessible place because the removal of the planters and the new at grade crossings means that people can now cross the road where they want to.

The new trees will also add much needed greenery to the area and may even improve air quality. The area also now feels better maintained and more cared for.