Air Pollution
The ABD has published a blog article on the impact of air pollution on people’s health and whether closing roads might assist. The recent reduction in traffic from the Covid-19 epidemic as people stayed at home shows there is actually very little, if any, benefit from doing so.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods such as those put in using the Covid-19 epidemic as an excuse are actually making matters worse, not better. See this blog article for details: https://abdlondon.wordpress.com/2020/09/11/does-closing-roads-reduce-air-pollution-and-improve-health/
Latest News
Wandsworth Council is suspending its Low Traffic Neighbourhood which has affected areas such as Tooting and West Putney following an urgent review subsequent to residents’ complaints. Wandsworth Council’s cabinet member for strategic planning and transportation, Cllr John Locker said:
“We have monitored the traffic flows and listened to feedback from residents and businesses. We have also spoken to our partners including local hospitals and key services to hear the impact on them.
It is clear that the LTNs are not delivering the benefits we want to see. In fact it looks like the combination of changes in areas like Tooting, where TfL are making changes to the main high road, are unfortunately having the opposite effect. That is why we have taken the difficult decision to pause and re-think about how we can achieve our objective of delivering healthier, safer streets”
He added: “We all want to do what is right environmentally, whilst maintaining people’s ability to travel and making sure town centres and high streets function properly. It’s important that we listen to what people are saying so that we get this right.”
But other London Councils such as Lewisham are not listening and are still persevering in the vain home that the worsening traffic congestion they have caused will go away. It will not.
Opposition is growing to road closures across London with many local groups being formed. The ABD is happy to advise or assist any local groups.
A new petition has been created against the possible closure of Hither Green Lane in Lewisham – one of the few alternative routes around the road closures – please sign it. See here: http://chng.it/KYhXRLX75r
We have formed a committee of local residents in Lewisham to progress the campaign against road closures in the borough. It currently has 4 members but we need more. If you are able to actively help this campaign, please contact me - contact details below.
We Need More Objections to be Put In
In Lewisham the Council has published a CommonPlace web site where you can put in your comments, or support existing ones – see https://lewishamcovidresidentialstreets.commonplace.is/ . Click on the top right for a list of roads. Please do add as many comments as you can opposing the road closures.
There are more details about how you can object to Councillors and the Council in Lewisham on our campaign web page here: https://www.freedomfordrivers.org/lewisham.htm
Don’t just accept the road closures – make sure you object!
It’s not too late to get your neighbours, friends, relations and work colleagues to sign the petition. Send them a message containing this link: http://chng.it/f8PH2L2LZq or simply forward this message.
Roger Lawson
Tel: 020-8295-0378
Email: RL2019@abd.org.uk
Campaign web page: https://www.freedomfordrivers.org/lewisham.htm
I will let you know of further news as it arises.