New traffic restrictions have been imposed in Hackney despite consultation results revealing over half of locals were against some of the changes.
These include traffic filters to restrict vehicles moving southbound on Chatsworth Road, new turning restrictions and one-way roads, the pedestrianisation of Chatsworth Road on Sundays between 6am and 8pm, and further parking restrictions.
Nicole Winterhart, a 55-year-old artist and Hackney local, has described the whole thing as a ‘shambles’.
She told the Londoners: “I think this whole theatre of giving out consultations and consulting people that live in the area is a complete fake.
“There is a sort of pretence that they care about people living in the neighbourhood and that is not true, it’s some form of agenda.”
Despite these claims, Hackney Council’s Chatsworth Road consultation results revealed 57% of residents disagreed with the proposed changes for the new bus gate with only 37% of residents showing support.
A further 50% disagreed with the changes to the one-way streets with only 37% of people in support.
Despite the considerations for disabled people, with the allowances for blue badge holders, these new restrictions also received considerable disapproval from disabled residents.
Consultation results showed 73% of residents with a disability voted against the one-way streets, 54% were against the pedestrian zone on Sundays, and 79% were against the new bus gate.
Disability rights UK has said implementing low-traffic neighbourhoods do not consider the needs of disabled people.
According to disabled residents, these schemes leave individuals with no other choice but to use cars.
Edward Cripwell, of Disability action in Islington, told the Times: “People say they have been locked down and locked in by low traffic neighbourhoods.
“Nobody who has contacted the council has had a meaningful response, no hint that disabled people’s views are being considered and that anything will change.”
He added: “It does not seem that the rights of disabled people have been taken into account as they should be, as disability is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.”
The scheme introduced by Hackney Council aimed to reduce traffic, make neighbourhoods more liveable, and improve air quality but this has not been the case according to locals.
Winterhart said: “Since the traffic restrictions started, my road has been chocka block. I have lived here for 25 years, and my cats can no longer go outside as our road has become the through road.
“It stinks, it’s loud, you can’t get anywhere.
“It has impacted me personally in a way that I just want to move. It’s awful.”
Many other residents have also shared similar concerns, particularly in relation to increased journey times from having to go on long diversions, the subsequent increase in spending on fuel, and the lack of clarity about where and who the restrictions apply to.
Residents have also since started a petition in an attempt to get the new restrictions thrown out.
Sarah Young, Hackney Council’s cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport said: “The new liveable neighbourhoods are helping to cut traffic and make Hackney easier to walk, wheel and cycle in.
“Our evidence shows that traffic decreases both inside liveable neighbourhoods and on boundary roads.”
Hackney Council press office said: “We carried out multiple consultations with residents in the Chatsworth Road area ahead of the liveable neighbourhood’s introduction.
“Their feedback helped to inform the scheme that was introduced.”
Featured image credit: Matt Seymour via Unsplash
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