Demonstration against the imposition of Low Traffic Neighbourhood by Lewisham Council at Lewisham Library
The first protest against Lewisham Road Closures, it was off to a flying start with over 100 people with many homemade signs, some passionate speakers, a lot of chanting, and TONs of support from passing cars, buses, postal vans, lorries, motorbikes and even a few fist pumps from cyclists. And next Saturday at Lewisham Library at 1pm, it’s going to happen again. Mask up, bring a sign, and show your support. SEE YOU THERE!! All across London a quiet, little-reported ‘war’ is raging. Barricades and roadblocks have been erected. Neighbourhoods are hemmed in and cut off. In some neighbourhoods, social and commercial life is grinding to a halt. Those responsible for the chaos are not young rioters or urban guerrillas. Battles and skirmishes are breaking out between councils and residents, as council officials impose increasingly draconian measures to stop people using their cars. In Lewisham, Hackney, Camden, Islington and Tower Hamlets, lockdown is being used as a cover to expand and accelerate a programme of road-narrowing (by building cycle lanes), while some roads are closed off to cars completely. As a consequence, traffic is being forced on to fewer and fewer streets. These road closures have been cheered on by the government, cycling advocates, environmentalists and self-styled urbanists. But they are seriously hampering people’s ability to get around their city. In Birmingham and Manchester there are also rumbles of with any war, language and propaganda are essential weapons in the fight. This war is fought in the name of ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’, ‘Living Streets’, ‘School Streets’ and ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhoods’ (LTNs). The advocates woo their opponents with the promise of idyllic, peaceful neighbourhoods with names like ‘Mini Holland’ and the ‘Oval Triangle’. Impenetrable bureaucratic-speak fosters confusion: they talk of modal filters, filtered permeability, Copenhagen Crossings, and Experimental Traffic Orders.
Size: 4071px × 3078px
Location: Lewisham Library, Lewisham, London, SE13 6LG
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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