Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: ‘Sometimes you can even hear birds sing’

• IT’S so great that Islington Council is introducing LTNs, low traffic neighbourhoods.

On Avenell Road in Highbury West we regularly had cars cutting through to avoid the main roads, going so fast they scraped over the speed humps.

These are meant to be residential areas not shortcuts for impatient drivers who don’t want the inconvenience of using the main roads.

Now it’s quiet and calm. Sometimes you can even hear birds sing. Pedestrians, cyclists, and wheelchair users can feel safer on the roads, which is really important now we have to keep our distance. So the pavements are a bit risky.

LTNs are great for our health and environment, cleaning up the air, reducing the risk of accidents, encouraging walking, cycling, and scooting, and reducing greenhouse gases.

Of course, it’s early days and the council must collect evidence and opinions from residents and businesses during the trial period. But surely this is the way to go.

BEN GRIFFITH
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