London,
27
May
2016
|
12:01
Europe/London

London Fields Quietway report published

Hackney Council has published the report of the London Fields traffic management scheme consultation.

The Council consulted on a number of potential traffic management options to reduce the amount of traffic using Middleton Road, and where possible the wider London Fields area.

On the basis of the consultation responses a report to Cabinet will recommend that Option 4, width restrictions on Middleton Road, is approved to be taken forward as a scheme on an experimental basis. This would allow the Council to measure the impacts of the changes on all roads in the area under real life conditions and help inform any future decision making.

Middleton Road is part of the Bloomsbury to Walthamstow TfL Quietway, which has the objective of creating a safer environment for cycling.

The proposals were:

  • Option 1: Closing 13 junctions to motor vehicles
  • Option 2: Closing Middleton Road to through traffic at two locations
  • Option 3: Lansdowne Drive bus gate with possible Middleton Road closure
  • Option 4: Middleton Road width-restrictions
  • Option 5: Residents were also asked to suggest alternative proposals

The Council’s Cabinet will discuss the report on 18 July and decide which, if any, of the options, to take forward.

2063 responses were received. 1288 of these were from an address within the area immediately affected by the proposals (the catchment area). 765 were from an address outside this area. It is clear from the results that there is a large difference in opinion between those living inside the catchment area and those living outside.

The results indicate that there is a high level of opposition to Option 1 from residents who would be most affected by the scheme. On this basis, the recommendation to Cabinet will be that this scheme is not taken forward.

It is also clear that there is little support for options 2 and 3 from all respondents, so the recommendation to Cabinet will be that these schemes are also not taken forward.

Significantly more responses from within the catchment area support Option 4 rather than oppose it. This option would mean a reduction in traffic on Middleton Road and would remove the largest vehicles, which pose the greatest risk to cyclists.

Option 4 would be a significant step towards contributing to the introduction of a Quietway. Traffic flow and pollution levels would be carefully monitored and taken into account when assessing the success of the experimental scheme, and following a review changes would be made accordingly.

Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Sustainability
We have had a full and informed conversation about traffic management in the London Fields area with local residents as well as people from across Hackney. We have listened to and answered questions from residents throughout the discussion. Residents have told us the option that they would prefer that we test out, so I will be taking a report to Cabinet recommending that this option is taken forward.
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Sustainability

Headline results

Option 1: Closing 13 junctions to motor vehicles

 

All responses
to Option 1

Responses within
catchment area

Responses outside
catchment area

Support

48%

30%

79%

Oppose

49%

67%

20%

Neither / don’t know

3%

4%

1%

Option 2: Closing Middleton Road to through traffic at two locations

 

All responses
to Option 2

Responses within
catchment area

Responses outside
catchment area

Support

14%

13%

15%

Oppose

69%

76%

57%

Neither / don’t know

17%

11%

28%

Option 3: Lansdowne Drive bus gate with possible Middleton Road closure

 

All responses
to Option 3

Responses within
catchment area

Responses outside
catchment area

Support

12%

13%

12%

Oppose

67%

73%

55%

Neither / don’t know

21%

15%

33%

Option 4: Middleton Road width-restriction only

 

All responses
to Option 4

Responses within
catchment area

Responses outside
catchment area

Support

36%

47%

18%

Oppose

43%

34%

58%

Neither / don’t know

21%

19%

23%