By Gareth Streeter
Today, I have submitted my response to the consultation around the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood.
Labour must re-open these roads.
As opposition spokesperson on environment and transport, I have been approached by countless residents. They have deep concerns about the consequences of the road closures. Closures that are hindering access to work, damaging local businesses and doing little to enhance the local environment.
This scheme must be discontinued.
- It is creating huge issues for residents: increased congestion has made life incredibly stressful for residents and commuters.
- It is bad for business: at a time when the high street is experiencing its biggest crisis in a generation, the council should be doing everything in its power to make life easier. Instead, it has introduced measures that create additional barriers between traders and their customers.
- It is not beneficial to local air quality: congestion is being concentrated on a smaller number of roads, doing little for the air quality or the health of residents.
- It is creating real issues for health and safety: residents are deeply concerned about the number of ambulances and emergency services vehicles which have been delayed due to congestion. I have seen several clips of ambulances struggling to get through traffic.
We can’t control every crisis that comes Croydon’s way. But in the midst of a generation-defining public health pandemic, local government should do everything it can to ease pressures, stresses, struggles and tensions. Labour has failed to do this. Instead, it has added to them.
