Liveable neighbourhoods: which group are you in?

• READING your letters pages we can see that LNs, liveable neighbourhoods, are a very divisive issue.

From what they write I believe that your correspondents separate themselves into two basic groups.

One group is those who probably use their car a lot, frequently for very short journeys, who like being able to cut through our local streets, and are unwilling to make the quite minor adjustments to their behaviour that are prompted by the introduction of a LN.

To these people the wellbeing of their neighbours comes second to their habit of driving, using whatever route they are used to.

The other group is those who welcome the benefits of LNs, who quite likely either don’t have a car (two-thirds of the households of Islington) or who use a car rarely.

These people can see that with less traffic on our streets everyone benefits: LNs are the opportunity to clean the air that we all breathe, to reduce the dangers that prevent people cycling, and to reduce the fear that prevent parents allowing their children to play on their own street.

This group is very diverse, it includes people who are: rich, poor, old, young, disabled, fit, in large families, living on their own – all living their lives perfectly happily without using cars.

The people in this group who use mobility scooters, or walk with difficulty, understand that with less traffic on the roads their journeys will be easier and safer, and they will be more able and willing to get out and about.

There are other groups, but these people seldom write letters: a third group is those who really do have to travel by car because they are physically or mentally incapable of walking or wheeling even short distances. By reducing traffic LNs make the roads easier to use for everyone including these people who have to use cars.

A fourth group consists of people who use their cars a lot but are beginning to recognise that this is anti-social and unsustainable. They are adjusting their behaviour, driving less and appreciating the benefits of the LNs.

So, which group are you in? Perhaps if you are in the first group you’d consider moving into the fourth?

If you are in a group that welcomes LNs then get involved by joining up at www.barnsbury laycock.uk

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