This ill-considered LTN scheme must be stopped
Friday, 5th February 2021
LTN scheme: ‘Make residents, medical suppliers, deliveries, and carers exempt’
• I ENDORSE what John Keane wrote about the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme, (LTN road scheme divides the borough and the community, January 29). And add that I do not know him.
Though I live fractionally outside the area (I am at the very end of Wilberforce Road by the junction of Mountgrove Road) I am affected by the LTN though it hits others far more.
I help deliver in my car food parcels from Elizabeth House for the needy. My main delivery place is to Queensland Road, near the Emirates stadium.
This used to take five minutes. Last week it took 30 minutes – even at noon – as I had to drive along Blackstock Road and then Highbury Grove to get to the nightmare of Highbury and Islington “roundabout” before going along Holloway Road and then turning down to the Emirates.
The introduction of the LTN has blighted the main arterial in the area. This affects not just cars and vans but the buses.
I have had to go to the Angel three times in the past fortnight for a medical appointment. One morning it took 45 minutes from the junction of Gillespie Road to Highbury and Islington on the 19 bus. On the third trip, I spoke to a bus driver who told me his journey had become impossible.
Visits by doctors to people within the LTN has been affected; as have deliveries of prescriptions. I am now helping a pharmacist in Blackstock Road with deliveries – on foot – in the LTN, as he has not got the time to drive there any more.
Also while walking around the new LTN area I have been spoken to by several van delivery drivers who are completely frustrated and lost.
While I am sympathetic to some traffic reductions, such as the very sensible restrictions brought in on roads near schools, this wholesale and ill-considered scheme must very rapidly be stopped.
The council must not be in denial. There are possible compromises; like opening up Aubert Park, for example, and exempting residents, medical suppliers, deliveries, and carers.
RICHARD BROOKS
Wilberforce Road, N4
