Across London, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), have been set up by councils in a bid to reduce air pollution, negatively affect the lives of many people. LTN, which have been heavily implemented during the coronavirus pandemic, attracts a mix reaction of the residents.
In a statement from Day-Mer’s Hackney branch, they said: “One of the aims of LTNs implementation is to prevent the use of side roads to avoid traffic on main streets, to encourage the use of cycling, walking and public transport, and to reduce air pollution. However, those living in the regions are reactive and against this practice. One of the reasons people are against it is that councils use the rules created due to the conditions of Covid-19 and start to implement LTNs without consulting the people living in the region and seeking their opinions. So the application is anti-democratic. Another reason is that many vehicles have to use the central street and main streets as a result of the closure of most of the side roads. Therefore, it causes traffic congestion and increase in traffic. Air pollution has increased as a result of traffic congestion. Emergency services such as ambulances and fire brigades cannot do their work on time either because of traffic congestion or because they cannot pass through blocked streets. In short, this practice aimed at reducing air pollution had the opposite results.”
Over the summer saw a number of residents across the capital protesting against the LTNs and even one community group in Croydon taking legal action against the councils LTNs.
Day-Mer adding “Many people from neighbourhood residents living in the region to small business owners, health workers, delivery people, cyclists and public transport users are against this practice, which is anti-democratic and increases air pollution, which makes life intolerable especially during the pandemic process. Those who oppose continuing to organize actions in the regions.”
On the weekend protest will be taking place in Hackney and Islington with community groups gather together to stand, On Saturday 12 December
Actions in Hackney and Islington Horrendous Hackney Road Closures will be carrying out a convoy starting from at Asda Car Park in Leyton Mills at 12.30, where a walk around the streets of Hackney is planned the to explain the convoy of cars will arrive in front of Hackney Town Hall at 3 pm were a demonstration will be held.
On the same day in the Islington area, The Ludicrous Road Closures group will hold a protest in front of Islington Town Hall on Saturday, December 12th from 1 am to 3 pm.
Call on the community to stand together Day-Mer said: “As migrant workers of Turkish-Kurdish origin, we are negatively affected by the practice of street closures. As Day-Mer, we invite our society to participate in the groups formed against the Street Closures in the regions and to participate in the protests to be held on Saturday, December 12th. Let’s meet with the demands of stopping the unreasonable street closures that increase air pollution so that the thoughts and opinions of the inhabitants of the region are taken and to be decided as such.”