Archway Bridge:
Appeal lodged

Highgate Society Planning Committee chair David Richmond has lodged appeals against the refusals by Haringey and Islington Councils of his proposals for anti-suicide measures on Archway Bridge as an alternative the councils’ scheme recently implemented (for details click here). The basis of the appeals, as stated by David, are as follows:

1. The scheme is less harmful to the heritage assets i.e. the grade II listed bridge and the conservation area, than is the consented scheme.
2. They [the Councils] mistakenly suggested that the design would not prevent suicides because the plinths at either end were not fenced off.  I maintain that access to the end plinths was only a means of getting to the outside ledge of the bridge from where a fatal jump could be made onto the hard tarmac of the road some 15 to 16m below.

   My design completely prevents access from the plinths along the outside ledge of the bridge.  Whilst, in my design, it is possible to jump from the plinths, you would fall 7-8m and land in the sloping landscaped area to either side of the bridge.  This area would need to have more shrubs and trees added to make it an even softer landing.  I argue that this does not appear to be, and would not be, a fatal fall and therefore would not be attempted.  There is no evidence that anyone has ever jumped from the plinths. 

   There is the high pavement below the bridge which has a fall of 6m onto the Archway Road which looks far more lethal than the fall from the plinths and yet it is of no apparent concern, having just a 1m high balustrade.  It is just not high enough to guarantee the required result, so it is not attempted.  Our design prevents anyone jumping the 15-16m onto the road, the only guaranteed fatal fall.

To support the appeals write before November 13th to:

The planning inspectorate,
Temple Quay House,
2 The Square,
Bristol, BS1 6PN

quoting references:
APP/Y5420/Y/19/3239775 (Haringey refusal)
APP/V5570/Y/19/3239769 (Islington refusal)