Chaplin Road N17. Unreadable street nameplates. UPDATE October 2016

Alan Stanton • London • 27-09-2016

Описание: In May 2015, I reported almost unreadable streetname signs in Chaplin Road, Tottenham N17. Until 31 October 2016 I seemed to be getting nowhere in getting Haringey Council to replace them. __________________ This is what the London Borough of Haringey's website said about maintaining street nameplates. (Accessed 7 November 2016.) "Street Name Plates Haringey Council is responsible for ensuring that street name plates are provided and fitted in suitable positions. It is important, as we travel further from our local area, that we can find where we are and where we want to go quickly and efficiently. Most importantly it is vital in the event of an urgent situation that you and your street can be located quickly by the Emergency Services. Haringey Council is also responsible for repair and maintenance of street name plates when this becomes necessary either due to accidental damage, vandalism or normal wear and tear. In the case of a new development however, the developer is responsible for the erection of name plates to Haringey Council's specification. To report damaged, missing or illegible street names plates please use our report a problem page. You can also email your report to [email protected]" ______________________________________ From : [Named member of Haringey staff] Sent : 19 October 2016 16:47 To : Alan Stanton Cc : [Second Named member of Haringey staff] Subject : Street name plates Good afternoon Mr. Stanton, Due to the department’s current robust budgeting process all new street name plates are ordered then placed on hold till we have the funds to replace them. The ones in Chaplin Rd are on private property, so any new signs for Chaplin Rd will need to be placed on posts making them even more expensive. We are aware that the signs are not aesthetically pleasing. But to repeat once again, due to our robust budgeting process, cosmetic repairs are currently placed on hold till such time as funds are available. Our inspection officers are responsible for safety inspections and as the signs in Chaplin Road are currently safe, they will remain on hold till the funds are available. Your patience will be appreciated during this process. Regards, [Named member of Haringey staff] _________________________________ Disappointed by this reply, I spent a couple of minutes online checking the law about local councils’ powers to put street name signs on walls of private property; and having the duty to maintain streetname signs. It seemed that Councils do have such powers. And such a duty. I was also surprised to be informed that replacing an existing sign needs Planning Permission. That wasn't something I recall when I was an elected councillor. As the Haringey Council’s member of staff had given their name I decided to phone them as see if a quick chat might help. It didn't. So I emailed back. ---------- Original Message ---------- From : Alan Stanton To : [Named member of Haringey staff] Cc : [Second Named member of Haringey staff] Date : 20 October 2016 at 11:31 Subject : Street name plates Thanks for your reply and for speaking to me this morning. I am writing to confirm that you advised me as follows: That replacing a street nameplate sign is a complex matter and not simply a matter of getting up on a ladder and screwing in a new sign. That you are unable simply to replace a street nameplate sign on private property without the permission of the owner. That replacing a street nameplate sign requires planning permission That you have large number of street nameplate signs awaiting renewal without the funds (some lb20k) to do so. That signs on private walls will need to be replaced by signs on posts, which is more expensive. I explained that while I have no expertise in this area, I looked up the position online, and that it seems to me that local councils do in fact have the legal power to replace nameplate signs on walls. I said that I would be taking this further. Before I do so, can I please request that you seek advice from a more senior member of staff or perhaps the legal service to check the possibility of whether or not you may be in error on this matter. I apologise for omitting to say in our phone conversation, that I did not report the Chaplin Road signs for any “cosmetic” or “aesthetic” reasons. Nor because they are “unsafe”. I’m sure they’ve been there for many decades and I know of no reason why they might – for example - fall off the wall. My view, which of course you are fully entitled to disagree with – is that these signs are almost illegible. As I have written several times, this is especially true if someone is looking for the street name at night; or in the rain; or if a person has poor eyesight. I myself have glaucoma and am short-sighted. But my camera takes perfectly sharp clear photos in daylight. If you haven’t seen them, you can do so with a smartphone by using this link. www.flickr.com/photos/alanstanton/albums/72157663265193171 Alan Stanton