"Serious road injuries have been virtually eliminated, more people are walking & cycling and air quality is better. There hasn't been any long-term worsening of congestion on boundary roads or emergency service response times."
Read our letter in The Times on why we're appealing:
Comments
THE TIMES
Towering success
Sir, You report that the mayor of London "cannot stop councils from removing unpopular low-traffic neighbourhoods" ("Mayor loses court battle to keep low-traffic zones", Dec 19). In fact, the judgement was less clear-cut,
accepting that the mayor does have some statutory powers to ensure that local councils implement or retain any plans already agreed: in this case, Bethnal Green's LTNs.
Every LTN is different and their benefits need to be considered case by case.
In Tower Hamlets, the opposite of a gentrified enclave, they have been a huge success. Serious road injuries have been virtually eliminated, more people are walking and cycling and air quality is better.
There hasn't been any long-term worsening of congestion on boundary roads or in emergency service response times. Local people, schools and businesses want our LTN to stay, as do GPs, the local hospital and the police. My 84-year-old neighbour, who has lived in the East End all his life,
remarked that the scheme had brought back some of the community feel of his youth. We will appeal against the judge's ruling because this LTN is helping us to have better lives.
Jane Harris
Save Our Safer Streets in Tower Hamlets