Joint byline: Charles Ward
A ward meeting in London Fields has been called-off because of “over-subscription”.
Residents organised the meeting, on 12 November, to discuss the dispute over road closures in the area with local government and fellow residents.
Almost 200 residents attended the meeting at Queensbridge Sports and Community Centre, forcing the gym secretary to close the door on all but 15 residents.
As a result, residents flooded Holly Street and surrounded Hackney councillor Emma Plouviez – who was also left outside the small meeting room – in an attempt to clarify the situation.
Absolute shambles at #london fields Ward Forum as I predicted @emmaplouviez @feryaldemirci #no consultation
— Annie Blackmore (@annie_blackmore) November 12, 2015
Mrs Plouviez, addressing the crowd of disgruntled residents, said: “I tried to do something which is very dear to my heart … to reduce through-traffic which goes along Richmond Road.”
When asked repeatedly where the evidence for the positive effects of the closures was, she added: “It’s not good will on my part, it’s based on the evidence from the experts. We don’t just dream up this stuff.”
The councillor was pressed further about the nature of the evidence, but simply replied that she did not know the details of the evidence.
Ian Martin, who lives across the road from the community centre, said: “My concerns are that certain councillors have already made up their minds.
“Councillor [Feryal] Demirci said this would deliver improvements, but there is no evidence. To me this is worrying: clearly the council has already made up their mind, without offering any evidence on their website; only their opinions.”
Ben Alden-Falconer, a local resident and member of the cycling community supporting the changes, said he was in favour of change, but – like most residents – would like to see the evidence first.
The council has not yet announced a date for the rescheduled forum to take place.
Image: Charles Ward
