Dalston residents have expressed concern as the council pushes ahead with plans for a new low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN).
John Stewart, a member of the anti-LTN group Social and Environmental Justice, said the plans would cause “regular gridlock” for residents, with “more noise and more pollution”.
Hackney Mayor Caroline Woodley confirmed the Dalston and Hackney Central LTNs would go ahead at a council meeting on 30 September.
“The only answer for roads like Graham Road is for the offending LTNs to be taken out or possibly modified.”
John Stewart, Member of Social and Environmental Justice
Mr Stewart said that the zones implemented since 2020 “relocate rather than reduce the traffic”. While traffic within the zones has decreased according to the Council’s latest data, Mr Stewart said boundary streets such as Graham Road had experienced “traffic like they’ve never had before”.
He is particularly concerned about those whom the LTNs will affect most: “It tends to be people in social housing or cheap private accommodation on boundary roads. The only answer for roads like Graham Road is for the offending LTNs to be taken out or possibly modified.”
Low-traffic neighbourhoods are pedestrianised residential areas designed to encourage walking and cycling. According to Hackney Council, 50% of the borough is made up of LTNs, more than any other in London.
Flora Symington is the beat reporter for Dalston. She is interested in community-focussed stories with people at their heart, and wants to hear from anyone and everyone in this vibrant area. Before moving to London Flora wrote for the Basingstoke Gazette, Cherwell and Trill Mag, as well as presenting and producing podcasts about media and the arts.