Streatham High Road
Encyclopedia
Streatham High Road, some two miles (3.6 km) in length, is part of the main A23 road
from London
to Brighton
, and is in the London Borough of Lambeth
. It begins in the north at Streatham Hill railway station
, being an end-on junction with Streatham Hill and continues south to Norbury
where the A23 becomes London Road.
Passing through the centre of Streatham
, it creates what is locally believed to be the longest high street in the whole of the United Kingdom
, although it is also a contender to be the longest continuous High Street in Europe
.
/Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
poll, to be Britain's Worst Street - largely thanks to its traffic problems, and a generally poor ambiance (run-down shopfronts, damaged pavements). However, it is a busy shopping area in the day, and a busy nightlife area in the evening.
Even before this report had appeared, a plan was being formulated by Transport for London
Street Management (who are legally responsible for the road and pavement maintenance, signage and street furniture) and the London Borough of Lambeth's Highways and Streatham Town Centre Management teams to improve Streatham High Road.
This sets out to "promote the needs of pedestrians, shoppers, cyclists and public transport before the needs of traffic on the A23".
The first phase was implemented in 2004-05, with new lighting and street furniture. Lambeth is also funding a shop front improvement scheme.
Roman road from London to Brighton). On the east is Streatham Common
(now largely built upon); and at the end of the High Road is Norbury Park
. Here the final small section is within the London Borough of Croydon
.
A23 road
The A23 road is a major road in the United Kingdom between London and Brighton, East Sussex. It became an arterial route following the construction of Westminster Bridge in 1750 and the consequent improvement of roads leading to the bridge south of the river by the Turnpike Trusts...
from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, and is in the London Borough of Lambeth
London Borough of Lambeth
The London Borough of Lambeth is a London borough in south London, England and forms part of Inner London. The local authority is Lambeth London Borough Council.-Origins:...
. It begins in the north at Streatham Hill railway station
Streatham Hill railway station
Streatham Hill railway station is one of three stations serving the suburb of Streatham, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The wooden station building at street level faces the busy Streatham High Road at the junction with Leigham Court Road...
, being an end-on junction with Streatham Hill and continues south to Norbury
Norbury
Norbury is a town in the London Borough of Croydon, also crossing the London Borough of Merton. It shares the postcode London SW16 with nearby Streatham. Norbury is south of Charing Cross.-History:...
where the A23 becomes London Road.
Passing through the centre of Streatham
Streatham
Streatham is a district in Surrey, England, located in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated south of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
, it creates what is locally believed to be the longest high street in the whole of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, although it is also a contender to be the longest continuous High Street in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
"Britain's Worst Street"
In 2002 it was voted, in a contentious BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
/Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment was an executive non-departmental public body of the UK government, established in 1999. It was funded by both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Communities and Local Government.-Function:CABE was the...
poll, to be Britain's Worst Street - largely thanks to its traffic problems, and a generally poor ambiance (run-down shopfronts, damaged pavements). However, it is a busy shopping area in the day, and a busy nightlife area in the evening.
Even before this report had appeared, a plan was being formulated by Transport for London
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
Street Management (who are legally responsible for the road and pavement maintenance, signage and street furniture) and the London Borough of Lambeth's Highways and Streatham Town Centre Management teams to improve Streatham High Road.
This sets out to "promote the needs of pedestrians, shoppers, cyclists and public transport before the needs of traffic on the A23".
The first phase was implemented in 2004-05, with new lighting and street furniture. Lambeth is also funding a shop front improvement scheme.
The Road
After 0.6 mile (0.96 km) there is a large junction complex, where Tooting Bec Road (A214) and Mitcham Lane (A216) join the A23. This is the point where most of the traffic chaos ensues. Following that point the road is relatively straight (it follows the line of the London to Brighton WayLondon to Brighton Way (Roman road)
The London to Brighton Way, sometimes called the London to Portslade Way is a Roman road between Stane Street at Kennington Park and Brighton in Sussex. The road passes through Streatham and Croydon, then through the Caterham Valley gap in the North Downs...
Roman road from London to Brighton). On the east is Streatham Common
Streatham Common
Streatham Common is a large open space on the southern edge of Streatham, London.It is one of two former areas of common land in the former parish of Streatham. The other is now known as Tooting Bec Common After inclosure, the Common was purchased for use as a public open space under the powers...
(now largely built upon); and at the end of the High Road is Norbury Park
Norbury Park
Norbury Park is a swathe of land arranged around a small manor house near Leatherhead and Dorking, Surrey, which appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. The manor was also known as Northbury for some time....
. Here the final small section is within the London Borough of Croydon
London Borough of Croydon
The London Borough of Croydon is a London borough in South London, England and is part of Outer London. It covers an area of and is the largest London borough by population. It is the southernmost borough of London. At its centre is the historic town of Croydon from which the borough takes its name...
.