‘LNs are a key part of the jigsaw required to reclaim streets for living’

• IT’S a Transport for London initiative which, as in many major cities around the world, aims to end the human suffering seen on its roads and transport networks by committing to Vision Zero.

London mayor Sadiq Khan has committed to the goal that, by 2041, all deaths and serious injuries will be eliminated from London’s transport network. A tall order.

The lack of political willpower and backbone to work towards this goal was bleakly shown on Battersea bridge where, four weeks ago, a 27-year-old died after a collision with a lorry. The bridge is known by the local politicians concerned to be a particular danger.

In Islington we are not spared the ravages of the danger posed by motor traffic and there have been incidents and limbs lost on roads such as Clerkenwell Road; again, an area known to be hostile and dangerous but where nothing appears to be happening.

The more positive news is that Islington Council is forging ahead with two LN, liveable neighbourhoods consultations out this week for Mildmay; and one of the biggest LNs in London, Barnsbury and Laycock.

LNs are a key part of the jigsaw required to reclaim streets for living and which will contribute towards achieving Vision Zero in the few years left to us.

Is it any wonder that local residents are scared about having rat-running vehicles belting down their streets?

Is it any wonder that they are standing up for quieter, cleaner and safer streets in which to bring up their families, where they can walk without worry and where they can breathe clean air?

There are many community groups locally committed to making their streets fit to live in and who want to see the council’s vision of safer streets a reality.

One such group https://www.barnsburylaycock.uk/ has done extensive analysis of the comments gathered during the engagement phase of the LN proposed for that area and the case is clear, the residents can’t and won’t wait.

The dangers posed by society’s addiction to the internal combustion engine are too great to ignore.

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