Tower Hamlets Council has decided to remove most of its low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) road closures, despite the majority of affected residents supporting the air quality measures.
The London borough says that the LTN road closures – called Liveable Streets – have proven too divisive.
‘LTNs have been one of London’s most contentious issues – a one-size-fits-all solution that has divided boroughs, communities, and even political parties,’ said Lutfur Rahman, executive mayor of Tower Hamlets.
‘The repercussions have been more severe in Tower Hamlets as an inner-city borough with little space to move around.’
The mayor has decided to remove the restrictions despite the latest consultation showing that only 41.7% of residents in the LTN area are in favour of removal, while 57.3% want to keep them.
‘We have seen people on both sides try to skew the results of our consultation. Ultimately, I am interested in the views of Tower Hamlets residents in the affected areas,’ Mr Rahman said.
‘I must now make a decision as mayor, and I have decided that division is not the answer. We need to find better solutions to improve air quality that can unite our residents and businesses.’
A recent study by the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and law firm Browne Jacobson warned that disputes over LTNs risked undermining local efforts at tackling climate change.
PM Rishi Sunak has also delayed the Government's ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030 to 2035, potentially slowing the transition to zero-emission vehicles.
This article first appeared on localgov.co.uk.
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