More LTNs in the Pipeline
A request under the Freedom of Information Act by Pat Richardson elicited the following information from Lewisham Council:
“The Council is committed to creating quieter residential streets for pedestrians and cyclists across the borough in order to meet the Mayor of London’s ambitious targets to have 80% of journeys made sustainably by 2041.
The Lewisham Transport Strategy and Local Implementation Plan, which was approved by Mayor and Cabinet in January 2019, includes a programme of Healthy Neighbourhoods with 18 Healthy Neighbourhood areas covering the whole borough. Healthy Neighbourhoods aim to improve air quality, reduce traffic and congestion and encourage active travel. This will include using interventions such as point closures, modal filters (traditionally road closures allowing pedestrians and cyclists to pass while stopping motorised traffic from doing so) and banned turns, enforced by cameras. This will be complemented by a series of other measures such as contraflow cycling, improved crossing points, cycle hangars, electric vehicle charging points, parklets, street trees and benches.
At the time that the transport strategy was approved it was anticipated that two to three healthy neighbourhoods would be programmed each year, but this programme has been affected by the pandemic and it is important that we reflect on the past 12 months and incorporate lessons learned from delivering the Lewisham and Lee Green scheme into future schemes.
The transport strategy also stated that areas will be re-prioritised at least every 2 years, using the latest available data. We are currently undertaking the re-prioritisation process so unfortunately we not yet in a position to say where in the borough the next healthy neighbourhood will be delivered”.
Comment: It is clear they will be persisting with more Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) across the whole borough like the one in Lee Green despite the large number of objections they have received.
More Permit Parking (CPZ) Schemes in the Pipeline
Another attack on motorists is the spread of Permit Parking Schemes. This is what Councillor Sophie McGeevor said recently on twitter: “This year we’ve committed to roll our borough wide CPZs. Increased income should mean we can reinvest in cycle hangers & public realm. Totally get that cheap safe storage is key”. Clearly she thinks that permit parking charges are a source of income when legally they are only supposed to cover administration and enforcement costs. See https://freedomfordrivers.blog/2021/03/14/profits-from-parking-continue-to-rise-in-london/ for more information on rising parking charges in London.
Council Bye-Elections
As mentioned in our last newsletter, there are bye-elections for several Lewisham ward councillors in May. One person standing on behalf of the Conservative Party in Bellingham is Dickon Prior. He has said this to me (although he wishes to make it clear these are his personal opinions): “You've previously commented on tweets promoting my campaign asking for my views on LTNs. For the avoidance of doubt, I am a motorist, I am a passionate believer in the private car as a tool for economic and social mobility, and I am adamantly opposed to these LTNs and other crazy schemes which left-wing councillors use to persecute the law-abiding motorist”.
I suggest this is one candidate you should support if you wish to stop the LTNs in Lewisham.
Road Closures and Personal Safety in LTNs
There has been much debate in the media of late about the safety of ladies on the streets of London. Many think that LTNs make the situation worse and actually encourage crime. One of our Committee Members has written an article on this subject which you can read here: https://freedomfordrivers.blog/2021/03/20/have-lewishams-road-closures-made-our-streets-a-predators-paradise/ . It attracted several comments.
New Campaign Leaflet
We have produced a new campaign leaflet to use by supporters. See here for a pdf copy: https://www.freedomfordrivers.org/Lewisham-Leaflet.pdf . It emphasises how LTNs benefit a few people who live within LTNs on quiet roads while prejudicing many others who need to use vehicles. Hence it uses the slogan “For the Few, Not the Many”.
I can supply any number of these leaflets for free and I would encourage you to deliver them in your local roads. We still need to collect more supporters to ensure the LTNs are not made permanent. Call 020-8295-0378 to order leaflets.
It’s Important to Keep Up the Pressure
Lewisham Council clearly have a plan to defer and delay proper public consultation on the LTNs in the hope that those opposed will tire of fighting and acquiesce. It is important to continue to press your local councillors and to sent objections to traffic@lewisham.gov.uk
Don’t give up the fight to stop the road closures.
Roger Lawson