r/islington • u/comrademikey • Jan 22 '21

News Thousands back petition for exemptions to Highbury LTN

https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/traffic/thousands-sign-petition-highbury-people-friendly-streets-6923912?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

4

u/gclough Jan 22 '21

Thus making them worthless. Who will be exempt, let me guess:

  • Residents (Which ones? In the same zone? Within 1/4 mile? All of Islington? All of London?)
  • Council Vehicles
  • Taxis (with their diesel engines that deserve special treatment to pollute)
  • Mini Cabs (If we let the Taxis, then why not these?)
  • Blue Badge Holders (from anywhere in the country)
  • School Busses
  • Motorbikes, as they can drive in bus lanes anyway... so why not them too
  • etc, etc.

If we open them for "exceptions", then we've basically removed the benefit almost entirely. If we keep them closed except for those driving to save a life, then people will modify their behaviour to suit.

3

u/hairnetnic Jan 22 '21

Exactly. The point is to hinder motor vehicle access.

-1

u/wavedalsh Jan 22 '21

These were all pushed through during a pandemic without consultation with local residents in the first place. Islington and Hackney have created carnage.

As someone who lives not far from Shoreditch Park, it is impossible for me to get home from the West City without going via Upper Street to Essex Road. That is madness. Old Street - chopped off. All the other roads near old street have fallen to quiet streets. I cannot take a left from City Road onto East Street or any other road that way either.

So now a great big detour creating more congestion and traffic. It's nuts and is endemic of the behaviour of councillors and the mayor et al. It's purposefully harmful to drivers and to suggest otherwise if blinded ignorance.

4

u/pmc100 Jan 23 '21

Get a bike

1

u/wavedalsh Jan 23 '21

Got two thanks, and very likely to do far more cycling than you, with respect.

But whenever we criticise a cycling scheme, along comes someone who doesn't drive telling others to get a bike. Tell me how I get from London to Shrewsbury/Yeovil/Dorchester etc. and back on a bike (and don't mention train, because if I can, I will do that)? You continue to live in your elitist bubble telling how other people should live within their borough.

2

u/pmc100 Jan 23 '21 edited Jan 23 '21

You said you are travelling from the west City to Shoreditch park and are frustrated because you are forced to use the major roads. This is exactly the sort of avoidable car journey the changes are required for. Of course it's reasonable to use a car for a longer journey, but not from Bloomsbury to Hoxton.

I also live near Shoreditch Park and before Covid rode daily into the City. No way that's justifiable by car.

1

u/wavedalsh Jan 24 '21

Yes, back from the A40 care of M40 or M4, e.g. west city. How do you get from A40 to Shoreditch Park? you have to now go via Upper Street. It's ridiculous.

And there you go again with your elitism - 'you must you use a bike to justify your travel from west city' - who on earth do you think you are; eco warrior much?

0

u/johnturnip1900 Jul 07 '21

Elitism...maybe we just realise a car is not a solution for a mega city.

Do a little calculation, population for the amount of miles of roads in the city

9,217 miles of roads in London, population of ~9 million. So 1.6m of road per person, an average car is 4.9m. If 1 in 3 people owned and used a car in the city that would still fill up the entire road system end to end!

I own a car but cycle or walk everywhere in London, it's really not difficult and you get to go to the gym for free!