‘It is now common practice for people to jump in their car to go short distances’

• THE first phase of Islington Council’s Engagement and Design for the Barnsbury Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood is completed.

On behalf of Barnsbury & Laycock Community Streets I would like to respond to the few people who think that everything is all right, and has been ever since “their” mini-low traffic neighbourhoods were introduced decades ago.

The 1960s was a particularly dangerous time on the roads as there was a huge increase in car ownership and very few safety factors, things we now take for granted such as seat belts, crumple zones, drink driving restrictions, and so on.

However we know that most of the “safety” features introduced since then (apart from 20mph zones) have been primarily about protecting the car and its occupants. Also cars are a lot bigger and heavier than they were then and the sheer number of cars on the road has increased enormously.

It is now common practice for people to jump in their car to go short distances, for example, the school run, which used to be walked, and this has many adverse effects, not only on road danger (about five people killed each day by motors) and the fear of road danger but also on levels of pollution and obesity, particularly affecting children.

Islington Council – as with many other local authorities and respected scientists – is doing its best to look after and protect its residents from these problems. As we all know, we have a climate crisis as well, and it is introducing “liveable neighbourhoods” for the greater good of current and future generations.

This may mean some slight inconvenience to some of the 30 per cent of Islington households who have access to their own private transport, but we really believe it is necessary and desirable to enable more people to engage in active travel, such as walking, cycling and wheeling in an environment which is safer, cleaner and greener.

If you would like to know more, visit us at: http://bit.ly/3UqofIp where you will find some interesting FAQ pages.

JOHN HARTLEY, N1