Streets with less traffic are beneficial

• SENSORY, physical or cognitive deficits make crossing the road much more hazardous for many older pedestrians.

Allowing car drivers to divert through back streets in their dash to save a bit of time can be intimidating to residents on streets not designed for fast-moving traffic.

Older people need to remain active to reduce the risk of frailty and falls. LTNs, low traffic neighbourhoods, make a safer and more attractive environment for people of all ages and abilities to get out and about.

Mobility problems can be isolating, especially for housebound older people. LTNs allow vehicle access to homes and businesses for visitors, deliveries, taxis or emergency vehicles but point closures prevent main-road traffic from taking a short-cut through residential side streets.

More social interaction between neighbours and increased community connectedness is found on streets with less traffic.

Preventing through-traffic also reduces residents’ exposure to traffic noise and pollution which have been implicated in negative health effects such as lung disease and dementia.

Islington Council are right to prioritise the health and wellbeing of residents over car driver convenience by reducing traffic in neighbourhoods. It isn’t only older people who reap the benefits.

DAVID LINCOLN
Tufnell Park Road, N7