A protest against ‘low traffic neighbourhoods’

OPPONENTS to new traffic rules say they are furious that the council has collected nearly £11million from drivers caught going through ‘low traffic neighbourhoods’.

The LTN schemes were set up to reduce traffic amid concerns that people would turn to their cars during the Covid lockdowns.

The aim of the schemes – also known as “people-friendly streets’ is to make it easier to walk and cycle, and to cut down air pollution from car exhausts.

But the redrawn map of road closures and restrictions has led to opposition from those who say the changes only lead to gridlocked main streets – and more fumes.

After a Freedom of Information request made last month by the Keep Highbury Moving group, Islington said it had charged car drivers £10,821,862 from 54 cameras installed between 2020 and 2022 to police the new measures.

Jo Sargent set up the campaign group in response to the introduction of an LTN in Highbury.

She said: “I feel really angry that in a cost of living crisis the council has taken £11million off residents and visitors and the question has to be why do those three cameras raise so much money?

“Should the signage be improved? They’re not going anywhere as much as I’d love them to.”

Three cameras, at Highbury Hill, Canonbury Place and Aubert Park, all around Highbury, made around £1 million each within two years.

Ms Sargent criticised the tone of the current debate around LTNs, suggesting people should not be labelled as “anti-LTN” and automatically stereotyped as “hating cycling” or vice versa and “hating cars”.

Last month a meeting to discuss a new “Liveable Neighbourhood” traffic reducing project in Barnsbury had to be abandoned after protesters grew angry at being unable to get in due to a lack of space in the room. Police were called and a fire alarm set off.

“We’re not pro car and anti-cycling, we’re trying to be a sensible voice in what is a very polarised situation,” Ms Sargent said, adding  “We’ve always felt everyone needs to co-exist. There is a climate emergency and we’re pro getting things done in terms of reducing carbon and moving towards a carbon-neutral environment, of course we are, but I don’t think LTNs are the way forwards.”

Ms Sargent, who has three boys and regularly drives them to their football matches, said she would not be able to do everyday chores such as food shopping without a car.

She complained that her weekly shop, which used to take five minutes to drive to, now takes up to 40 minutes.

“How is that reducing pollution and cars on the road?” she said, and called for the Town Hall to allow Islington residents who own a car to have freedom of the borough while those from outside could be charged using the camera technology.

Islington has pledged to carry out more in-depth consultation when introducing their “liveable neighbourhood” policies across the borough.

Another demonstration against the road rules took place at the Town Hall last night (Thursday).

An Islington press officer said that all money from Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) is reinvested into transport and environment-related projects and defended the signage at the three sites questioned by the group.

He said: “Our council is committed to making Islington a cleaner, greener, healthier place by reducing toxic air pollution. To do that, we must reimagine the way we use our streets.

“Through the ongoing people-friendly streets programme, the council is making it easier for the approximately 70 per cent of households that do not own a car to walk, cycle, scoot and use buggies and wheelchairs.

“Typically, it takes drivers time to adjust to the new restrictions, but compliance improves over time. We work hard to make sure our signage for our traffic filters is adequate, unambiguous and compliant with regulations.”