Helen CzerskiJul 30, 2023
The evidence that cars don’t work as primary mass transport in cities is everywhere: traffic jams, air pollution, accident rates, the shocking fraction of city space taken up by parking spaces, safety barriers/bollards etc. This 100 year experiment should be declared over, and we should put proper effort into the systems that HAVE been shown to work and scale: walking, cycling, e-cargo bikes, cheap/accessible/reliable public transport. This “argument” about LTNs is just lazy delay. #LTN #cities
Show threadJames EvansJul 30, 2023

@helenczerski In Dulwich, south London, there’s been a lot of anger about the LTNs, but from my perspective (as someone who doesn’t own a car) they’ve made the roads quieter, safer, cleaner and nicer to use.

The initial designs were a bit restrictive, but changes to allow emergency access seem to have fixed those concerns. Overall, LTNs seem to deliver, and the only “argument” should be about how to extend their impact and ensure car-free travel is safe, cheap, and timely.

Show threadJohn PJul 30, 2023

@Myryama @helenczerski In September, my son starts secondary school and will only be able to cycle the 1½ miles to get there as most roads between have been made an LTN.

There are now proposals to remove bollards and replace with a camera to allow through ambulances. Even this would make us think twice, especially if they allow taxis through as suggested. Making roads safe enough for an 11yo is great thing; it would be a huge shame to lose it.

Show threadJames EvansJul 31, 2023
@jpnp @helenczerski They did this in Dulwich Village with no obvious negative impact (ambulances, not taxis - that would be awful). The roads are no busier with the wider openings, but I’d be dead against allowing taxis to resume rat-running, which would definitely happen if they were allowed through these restricted junctions.
Show threadJohn P

@Myryama @helenczerski Yes, I have no problem with emergency vehicle access, but once the opening is there, others will be (already are) lobbying heavily to use it.

Taxis have recently been allowed through nearby LTN bus gates - as they are 'a valuable public transport option'. I fear we'll end up with a sort-of low-ish traffic neighbourhood.

Jul 31, 2023 at 9:15amWeb
Show threadJames EvansJul 31, 2023
@jpnp @helenczerski That’s appalling. The argument for access for emergency vehicles is a bit thin (since re-routing typically makes little measurable difference unless the station is very close to the LTN), but there’s no way taxis need to drive through LTNs - that’s just nuts.