Statement on people-friendly streets

"People-friendly streets will help to create the safer, greener, healthier borough that local people have long been calling for.

“As well as reducing the dominance of motor vehicles and helping to clean the air local people breathe, people-friendly streets will be safer, more pleasant and better suited for social distancing.

“On these quieter, less polluted streets, it will be easier than ever to walk, cycle, scoot, and use buggies and wheelchairs.

“Our people-friendly streets will also make it safer for children to play, easier for local people to exercise, and will bring cleaner air for those that have breathing difficulties.

“People-friendly streets will create a better borough for all. As a result of the coronavirus crisis, there’s a need to implement these measures as quickly as possible.

“Central Government has made clear that local authorities, like Islington, where local people usually rely on public transport, must swiftly adapt their streets  to create more space for walking, cycling and social distancing and avoid a rise in motor vehicle traffic as we move out of lockdown.

“Furthermore, modelling by Transport for London shows that, without urgent action to improve streets, congestion in the capital will become even worse than it was before coronavirus.

“That is why we have urgently moved forward with our people-friendly streets plans.

“The safety of our residents is an absolute priority, and that is why we have worked closely with emergency services before each people-friendly streets scheme is installed to make sure that they can continue to access every street.

“We continue to work with the emergency services to monitor the impact that these changes are having on them, both before and after implementation. Following further consultation with London Fire Brigade, for example, we have removed a physical traffic filter on Wharf Road and are instead using a camera-enforced filter, ensuring easy access for emergency services on this route.

“We continue to work with emergency services to ensure that crews are aware of the changes we are making.

“Before the implementation of every people-friendly streets scheme, a detailed resident impact assessment is also carried out to assess the potential effects of the changes we’re making.

“Local people remain at the heart of everything we do, and their feedback is incredibly valuable to us. The thoughts, ideas and feedback they are giving us via our Commonplace webpage are informing the way that we implement people-friendly streets.

“Furthermore, we will consult local people 12 months into each people-friendly streets scheme to give them the chance to say whether they would like the measures to stay in place permanently.

“Local people know their streets better than anyone else and we are listening to their feedback, whether it be positive or negative.

“We have invited the organisers of planned protests at Islington Town Hall to have an open, constructive discussion with us about their concerns. We’re disappointed that they have not taken up our offer, and our offer still stands.

“We continue to welcome feedback from local people about our plans, and encourage residents to keep coming forward with their ideas on how we can improve the borough’s transport network.

“The council remains determined to create a safer, greener, healthier borough by creating streets that are friendlier for everyone.”