Hornsey Lane Bridge

The Highgate Society, whose alternative design was rejected, has appealed the decision. More details on the Highgate Society website. To support the appeal use the online facility, closing date 11th February 2020.

The work is now complete and the safety measures in place. Though recognising the need for prevention of suicides, the many ensuing social media comments almost unanimously condemn the brutalist design of the structure and the loss of a local feature that was a pleasure to many.

Work will begin on Monday 10th June 2019 to erect anti-suicide measures on the bridge, the main element being the erection of 3m high fences in front of the existing parapets. The work will be carried out 24 hours a day and should be completed in three weeks. Round-the-clock work is required for site security, to mitigate against the use of the work for attempt suicides and to coordinate lane closures on Archway Road, with noisy operations completed by 11pm. The work will take place on one side at a time, pedestrians being diverted to the opposite side and single file traffic being controlled by temporary lights. A letter has apparently been distributed to residents on Hornsey Lane and adjacent side roads.

The application made by the Highgate Society (P2018/4231/LBC and HGY/2019/0424) has been refused by Islington Council. The refusal was made following comments by the Police that the proposed design would fail to prevent people from climbing the fence and reaching the parapet of the bridge. However, Haringey Council has obtained planning consent to install suicide prevention measures on the bridge, and work on the installation of these measures will start on 11 June 2019. Read reports from the Highgate Society and a history of the bridge prepared for TfL.

The following is from Hansard, concerning a question from Michael O’Halloran, MP for Islington North, put to the then Undersecretary for the Environment Michael Heseltine, in the House of Commons on 9th July 1971.

ARCHWAY (A1 ROAD BRIDGE)
HC Deb 09 July 1971 vol 820 cc1777-80

Mr. Michael O’Halloran (Islington, North)

I am glad of the opportunity of discussing the Archway Road Bridge, N.19. I have submitted some photographs to the Minister which will explain the difficulties.

The bridge was built in 1897 and under it flows the traffic of the A1 trunk road. Since it was built, it has been known locally as “Suicide Bridge”. Practically every year there are one or two suicides and several attempted suicides. Not a week goes by when I do not receive complaints from people living in the vicinity about someone having been seen climbing on the railings of the bridge. When this happens the police are informed and the fire brigade is called to rescue the unfortunate person who feels that there is nothing left in life to live for.

The approach to the bridge is such that the smallest child can climb on to it. I appreciate that if an individual wants to commit suicide there is not much that we can do about it. After all, if he does not jump off Archway Bridge or even Westminster Bridge he can go home and gas himself.

The main problem with the Archway Bridge is that a person attempting suicide can involve the lives of others. From the railings at the top of the bridge to the main trunk road below is a drop of about 80 feet. In the most recent suicide from the bridge a man who jumped narrowly missed falling in front of a bus. It will be seen how the lives of many other people could be involved. The driver of a vehicle passing beneath the bridge in such an eventuality would have to swerve or make an emergency stop, and this could result in a serious accident.

The local weekly newspaper, the Islington Gazette, has over the years spoken out forthrightly about this great hazard. A major question principle is involved because we are left with no option. Either we do something about it or we go back to what has been said all along—that nothing can be done.

In the past three months I have asked a number of Parliamentary Questions about the bridge. I now ask the Minister to do something about it and at least to have a second look at the railings and approach to the bridge. I understand that it would not cost even £5,000 to provide a side wall or additional railings to prevent people from climbing up on it. Many people have suggested the provision of a net to stop would-be suicides from falling in front of traffic below.

This is the question: are we to wait until a very serious accident occurs, with heavy loss of life, or are we to take steps now to prevent such an event? I hope that I have said enough in this short debate to make the Minister appreciate the points I have been putting, both today and in Parliamentary Questions, and that he will have another look at this serious problem.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Michael Heseltine)

I wish at the outset to thank the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. O’Halloran) for his courtesy in giving me notice of his views on this matter—though I was aware of them from the Parliamentary Questions which he has asked—and for supplying me with photographs. These photographs highlight the problem. Although I have not seen the bridge, it is obvious from the pictures that it is a very attractive example of a certain type of construction.

The hon. Gentleman was right in pointing out that a bridge at this point was first built in 1812. It was replaced in 1897 by the existing bridge, which has a span of 120 feet and marks the boundary between the section of the A1 for which the Greater London Council is responsible and the trunk road section for which my Department is responsible. The bridge itself is vested in the G.L.C.

The problems that arise from time to time as a result of people attempting to commit suicide or being successful in doing so from this bridge are of great concern to us all. There have been three suicide fatalities in recent years: a man in February, 1969; a girl in October, 1970; and another man in February this year. In addition, in May this year and then on 7th June there were two more attempted suicides, one a mental case and the other a drug addict. Both were rescued by the police from the bridge and taken to hospital.

Attempts have been made to try to deter people from using the bridge in this way. Some considerable time ago rotating iron spikes were fitted on top of the 5 foot high iron parapet fence, and the height of the parapet with the spikes is a formidable obstacle, as is clear from the photographs. Steel mesh panels have been fitted adjoining the centre and end pillars of the bridge where climbing is easier, again in order to discourage attempts.

It is difficult to devise a wholly effective safeguard which would not detract from the appearance of the bridge, which is of considerable architectural merit. If one were to build a high wall or an unclimbable fence to replace the existing railing, either solution would be considered aesthetically unacceptable.

This is a tragic problem and one that is not restricted to the bridge over this particular roadway. The difficulty is that if people are determined to commit suicide there are an endless variety of ways in which they can do so and a very large number of bridges which they can use—not only road bridges but railway bridges, bridges over the Thames, and others. The danger, therefore, is that if we were to highlight our concern about Archway Bridge in some way it is possible that it would have the reverse effect to that which we seek to achieve. By focussing attention on this bridge as one that has been used in this way, it is possible that we would even attract more people to use it in this regrettable manner than have used it in the past. As I say, if people have made up their minds to behave in this way, there is nothing we can do to stop them, because there are so many alternative methods open to them.

Nevertheless, I do not want to suggest that our concern is less than that of the hon. Member, particularly because of the danger—albeit, I hope, a small one, and one that has not so far led to any actual danger—of people jumping from the bridge, landing in the roadway below and possibly causing an accident, perhaps injuring people in no way otherwise involved.

I say at once that although the difficulties are well known, and that is why we have not been able to make further progress, we will discuss the matter with the G.L.C. to see whether anything can be done within the limits I have mentioned to minimise the problem. I very much wish that there were no such dangers but, as I have said, there will always be a proportion of people who are, regrettably, determined to commit suicide and it is impossible to anticipate every means they may use for their purpose.

A letter to residents from Haringey Council notifying of the bridge works (HGY/2019/0424) reads thus:

Location: Archway Bridge Hornsey Lane N6

Proposal: Erection of stainless steel anti-suicide fencing along the bridge in front of the existing fence and in front of the bridge parapets, and removal of the previously installed wire mesh along the bridge fence and spikes on the end and central plinths (Following approved HGY/2018/1463 in September 2018).

The letter is dated 3rd March 2019, but we received it on 14th February. Any comments or objections must be in by 20th March. You can download the letter here.

A new application (P2018/4231/LBC) was registered on February 11th, 2019 (comments until10/03/19) by David Richmond & Partners on behalf of the Highgate Society. It features an alternative mesh design, a mock-up of which you can see in the picture (click to enlarge). Full details are in their report. The application is for Listed Buildings consent rather than planning approval. There is also an interesting historical background to the bridge, which you can see here.

‘Community demands end to TfL’s Archway Bridge delays’

Labour councillors, local vicars, local residents, staff from the Whittington Hospital and Catherine West MP, have joined together to demand an end to Transport for London’s (TfL) delays in installing suicide prevention barriers on Archway Bridge.

Gathering together at Archway Bridge today (20th July), Islington Labour councillors led calls for decisive action to be taken by TfL to install the barriers as soon as possible. The calls follow another tragic death on 29th June, which saw the Leader of Islington Council, Cllr Richard Watts, declare “I am furious these vital safety measures have not been put in place.”

Planning permission was granted in October 2015 by both Islington and Haringey Councils for the installation of suicide prevention barriers along Archway Bridge, which has been the scene of multiple suicides and attempted suicides. Delays have meant that TfL has failed to produce a compliant sample panel of the prevention barriers 21 months after permission was granted.

Cllr David Poyser, Labour councillor for Hillrise ward, said: “Every suicide is a tragedy, especially for the loved ones left behind, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims of suicide. We know these barriers will work in stopping others from taking their lives. It is utterly unacceptable that TfL has not been able to get a compliant sample panel produced, and there can be no more excuses. The strength of feeling about this is clear to see and we need TfL to listen to the community and to make our bridge safe.”

Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Labour councillor for Junction ward and Executive Member for Community Development commented: “The suicides at Archway Bridge could and should have been prevented. There is no justifiable reason why the barriers have not been installed, given that planning permission was granted 21 months ago.”

Cllr Andy Hull, Executive Member for Community Safety, added: “This saga has been running for years, and as a council we have done all that we can to help TfL produce the barriers. We have even taken to offering to find manufacturers ourselves. Thankfully, the CCTV we have installed near to the bridge has helped us prevent several suicides, but clearly it is not enough as the tragic death a few weeks ago shows.

“I am pleased that a positive meeting took place this week between Islington, TfL and Haringey. Haringey are now managing the project and are responsible for its delivery, and we will support them in any way we can to ensure the barriers are installed as soon as possible. To help speed-up the process, Islington has agreed to purchase specialist steel needed for the fencing.”

Need help?

Please visit NHS Choices website here – http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Suicide/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Helplines for those needing support –

• Samaritans – 116 123
• Childline – 0800 1111
• Papyrus (specialists for teenagers and young adults) – 0800 068 41 41