London Fields road trial to see 13 junctions closed to through-traffic
PLEASE NOTE, THE COUNCIL HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL UNDERTAKE A FULL PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN JANUARY, READ THIS FOR THE UPDATE
Thirteen residential junctions in the London Fields area of Hackney are set to close to rat-running in a road trial that is thought to be one of the largest and most progressive of its kind in London.
The project, which will allow cyclists and pedestrians to travel freely but prevent motor vehicle through-traffic, is due to begin in January, in a bid to create safer and cleaner neighbourhoods, and better places to live for the majority of residents.
Attractive planters filled with winter flowers and shrubs, and where possible trees, will act as a filtering system to motor traffic and bring bursts of greenery to the roads.
They will be installed in streets between Richmond Road in the north and Scriven Road in the south, and Lansdowne Drive in the east and Haggerston Road in the west, affecting an area of roughly one square kilometre.
Motor access to all streets will be maintained for residents in the area, which, according to the latest census data, has some of the highest cycling rates in Hackney, particularly the number of residents who journey to work by bike.
The proposals will likely reduce the high volumes of non-local motor traffic using the residential streets, with the aim of making the neighbourhoods quieter and less polluted places to live, as well as safer and more pleasant places to walk, cycle and play.
The three-month trial, starting in January, will act as a formal consultation process in which residents can give their views. The Council will also be accepting feedback and honing designs during the works’ notification period, starting in mid-November, as well as throughout the test period.
We strongly believe this exciting project will bring significant improvements for almost everyone living in the area.
In Hackney, pedestrians and cyclists come first and we are committed to doing everything we can to make the borough a better place for them.
The benefits of the scheme are clear and are manifold: cleaner, quieter, more liveable neighbourhoods in which our most vulnerable residents are better protected and served.
It is also important to note that residents will still be able to access their roads by motor vehicle but the scheme will aim to stop rat-running.
Further details on how, when and where residents will be able to contribute to the process are currently being finalised and will be included in the scheme publicity in the coming months.
