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THREADExciting that details have finally been announced for a new @hackneycouncil #LowTrafficNeighbourhood in London Fields from 7th September. It’s especially notable that this will affect a neighbourhood with large amounts of local authority housing, such as our ... (1/11)
... estate, within the broad context of considerable borough-wide deprivation - Hackney has the 3rd-highest level of child poverty in the UK. Disadvantaged areas are disproportionately impacted by traffic and air pollution, even more unjustifiable when Hackney has some of... 2/
... the lowest levels of car access in London. Poorer areas also often don’t have the same campaigning/networking resources as wealthier ones, so are more likely to be ignored by such measures... 3/
... These kinds of difficult and disruptive actions are vitally important for protecting population and planetary health. We need to ensure urban environments shift urgently to a renewed focus on people, communities, and public health, rather than on cars and convenience... 4/
... It's notable that most criticisms of LTNs and similar schemes are voiced in bad faith by a loud minority:
1) Traffic is NOT simply displaced - these schemes have been repeatedly shown to result in evaporation of traffic over time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_demand ... 5/
1) Traffic is NOT simply displaced - these schemes have been repeatedly shown to result in evaporation of traffic over time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induced_demand ... 5/
2) Roads are NOT closed. They are OPEN for people walking, cycling, scooting, using mobility scooters etc. AND remain open for residents3) Emergency services are supportive. Their vehicles still have access and can respond faster when they aren't blocked by traffic... 6/
4) These schemes do NOT privilege wealthy streets. As I've said above, this scheme applies across many areas where social housing is predominant5) They don't reduce the chances of addressing main roads - they actually help build the case and support for wider measures... 7/
6) Finally, they are NOT being implemented without consultation. The consultation happens at the SAME TIME as the scheme is tested. That way it can be judged on how it actually works, and not obstructed endlessly by those who will inevitably oppose any measures... 8/
... Thank you @jonburkeUK @PhilipGlanville and colleagues for your hard work and commitment on this and other ambitious future plans. Thank you to community and activist groups who continue to push for change (e.g. @hackney_cycling @MumsForLungs @London_Cycling ... 9/
Thank you to early LTNs for showing the way e.g. @RailtonLTN #wfminiholland, and thank you to tireless advocates e.g. @psimonk @iambrianjones @SarahJ_Berry (whose wonderful LTN resources are at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1piskCHJz6zlnB_qPNLYZaDPqKyLf--nw) ... 10/
Please stay strong to the inevitable opposition that has and will come your way from those that either can’t - or are funded not to - see the bigger picture
Finally, follow @enjoyLDNfields for continued updates on the London Fields LTN /END/
Finally, follow @enjoyLDNfields for continued updates on the London Fields LTN /END/
