• THE ultra low emission zone, ULEZ, low traffic neighbourhoods, LTNs, net-zero, “the war on motorists”, all these issues have recently become the subject of noisy protests on social media.

The noise can give a false impression of opposition to progressive measures, but these comments do not represent how most people feel.

Recent (July 2023) independent polling by Redfield and Wilton Strategies found majority public support in London for LTNs (58 per cent of respondents support LTNs, while only 17 per cent oppose).

The majority of inner London residents (58 per cent) also support the ULEZ expansion. See: Plurality of Londoners Support Expanding London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).

This support is reflected in the comments posted on the Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood interactive map.

Here are two typical comments.

First, “I welcome this new scheme. Existing traffic measures in the area do not work. Many streets suffer high volumes of traffic. They’re dangerous to walk and cycle and especially dangerous for children.”

Secondly, “I fully support an area-wide LTN to close all the cut-throughs and make all streets safe for children and less polluted.”

We analysed the comments and here’s what we found.

• A total 2,519 unique comments (after removing cut-and-paste duplicates).

• Some 630 different user identities.

• The overall sentiment of comments is overwhelmingly in favour of meaningful changes in the area, 66 per cent supporting significant change and 22 per cent supporting some change.

• Only 9 per cent of comments were opposed to any change.

Key issues on which people want to see change include traffic volume, road safety, speeding, air quality, more greening, traffic noise, litter, measures to help bring the community together, and measures to help address climate change.

We would like the new liveable neighbourhood proposals for Barnsbury and Laycock to respond to these comments from residents and to offer a comprehensive plan of equitable streets.

We believe that the area should be treated as a whole, with road filtering reducing traffic throughout and allowing for safe active travel routes.

While car and van drivers represent only 30 per cent of local households, the impacts of motor vehicles on our health, safety, and wellbeing affect everyone.

As local residents of Barnsbury and Laycock we would like to live in a neighbourhood that is safe for all residents to travel, breathe clean air, and for children to play outdoors.

We call on our councillors to take this opportunity to create safer, healthier, greener, fairer, streets in Barnsbury and Laycock. The evidence indicates there is popular support for meaningful change.

JOHN HARTLEY, N1
On behalf of Barnsbury and Laycock Community Streets www.barnsburylaycock.uk