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Trees in the road are latest obstacle to stop speeding motorists
Benedict Moore-Bridger16.01.09
TREES could become the latest weapon against speeding drivers if an idea for north London is given the go-ahead.
The scheme, planned for Muswell Hill, would see speed humps replaced by "treegates". Trees would be planted at intervals along residential streets, jutting out into the road to create a "chicane" to slow down motorists. The scheme is modelled on ideas used in Scandinavian countries.
The plans were put forward by David Rennie, of Palace Gates Residents' Association, a retired Department of Transport employee. He said: "When they drive up to these tree gates, motorists feel they are going through a narrowing and subconsciously slow down. Even a few trees can create an atmosphere that encourages better driver behaviour."
Studies have shown treegates can be more effective than "Slow" signs in lowering the speed of motorists and Haringey council has shown some interest in testing the proposal.
A spokesman for the council said: "We are interested in innovative ideas to help with traffic calming and are keen to incorporate best practice measures into future plans."
But Nigel Humphries, of the Association of British Drivers, said: "It is utter madness. Putting more things in the road is not the way to reduce accidents." He claimed the chicanes, named after features in Formula 1, could encourage some "boy racers" to speed up.
The London Ambulance Service believes up to 500 lives are lost each year when ambulances are slowed down by humps or the road is too bumpy for staff to give emergency treatment during a journey to hospital.In November, Boris Johnson pledged to get rid of speed bumps. "Road humps are often a lazy way of delivering slower speeds," the Mayor said.
Reader views (16)
Good idea. I'd like to test if I can keep going at the same speed & use it like a GP chicane.
- Paul, London England
Another stupid idea, who's next.
- Mr.S.Port, London
Excellent idea. As a cyclists, I find anything that slows loony speeding motorists down on residential side roads is a good thing, and why not use trees rather than concrete bollards, road humps etc?
- Bike Commuter, London
This sounds like a good idea. There are plenty of leaves on the roads already and it doesn't cause chaos. Any motorist that can't avoid hitting a tree should not be allowed on the road. We need to slow down traffic and road humps just damage cars, create noise and distract drivers. I also would like to see speeds painted on the roads along the centre lines (e.g. 2's to represent 20mph) because motorists often are unsure of the road speed limit. And traffic cameras should be hidden.
- Robert White, London, UK
A tree in the road is instant death to motorcyclists and scooter riders.
Who are the stupid people who come up with these crack-pot ideas ?
- Clive Allen, Brighton, UK
I walk -- have lived in London for 10 years without a car. Cars are noisy, polluting beasts that go far to fast and kill. Keep the narrow roads and force people to slow down or take the bus like most of us.
- Sylvia, london
In the states this type of action screams lawsuit. I give it until the first person runs into a tree.
- Londonfog, ohio, usa
In France they are chopping down all their iconic road-lining trees (a tradition which goes back to Napoleon), because of the high fatality rate of people crashing into them.
The special character of those roads is being lost forever, and the situation is made worse by the erection of life-sized black figures representing people killed at particular spots.
On the whole, I prefer the trees.
- Brian Clapham, London
Hologram images projected on flat screens at the side of the road with pictures of police vehicles would be more effective.
- Nora, London, UK
I think I recognise this story, good idea though.
- Barry, Muswell Hill
Just wait until the first gust of wind brings down a branch on a passing car and causes a crash...
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Excellent. I give it a couple of months before someone skids on wet leaves, hits the tree and sues the council for zillions.
- Paul, London
Why not do as they do in Switzerland, the tress are plated in large rectangle containers and placed about 100metres apart on either side of the road. They thane can easily be moved with forklift truck in the event or an extreme load or major road repairs. They have a much better calming effect than do humps.
- R Ellis, E DEVON
Spring-loaded posts that rise out of the ground if a speeding car is heading towards them would stop speeding overnight. Emergency vehicles should be able to remotely disable them, of course.
- Martin H Watson, Teddington
Good idea: less offensive than speed humps. Making drivers slalom is a proven way of slowing them down.
- Neil, london uk,
The stupidity of such schemes never ceases to amaze me. Roads need to be made wider not narrower.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
