Green lanes: teachers want to save the ‘liveable streets’ scheme in Old Bethnal Green Road
(Picture: Ross Lydall)Headteachers in one of London’s most traffic-clogged boroughs are deeply concerned at proposals to axe schemes that have improved road safety and reduced pollution around their schools.
Five heads have written to Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman urging him to retain and improve the traffic-calming measures in and around Old Bethnal Green Road and Columbia Road.
Mr Rahman has launched a three-week consultation on whether to ditch or save the schemes. He is also seeking views on whether to remove traffic restrictions on Brick Lane.
But the heads of Lawdale junior school, Elizabeth Selby infants, Virginia and Columbia primaries and Oaklands secondary say they would be “severely impacted” if the schemes were removed.
They said there had been “significant improvements” to safety and health around the schools. Council data revealed almost 6,500 fewer vehicle journeys a day in Old Bethnal Green Road and about 4,800 fewer in Columbia Road.
They wrote: “Before, the area around our schools was dominated by speeding vehicles, noise and fumes. Now, we can see from the data provided that there has been a significant reduction in cars using the roads around our schools and that this has positively affected air quality.
“We are deeply concerned by the proposals. You are presenting a choice between reopening roads such as Old Bethnal Green Road to more than 6,000 vehicles per day or keeping the layouts as they are. Don’t go back to square one. Look to improve what is already there.”
Mr Rahman first consulted on reopening the roads to drivers last summer, shortly after being re-elected mayor after serving a five-year ban on running for office following a vote-rigging scandal.
The first consultation results, which have only now been published, suggested views were closely divided on the merits of the Old Bethnal Green Road and Columbia Road schemes.
Council data suggested there had been a 60 per cent increase in delays on Hackney Road, a main bus route. Separately, some concerns were raised about delays to 999 vehicles due to the partial road closures.
Mr Rahman said: “The public realm schemes have resulted in reductions in traffic levels. But data shows that there has been an adverse impact on local bus services and displaced traffic on local and boundary roads.”
Supporters of the schemes have accused Mr Rahman of attempting to “greenwash” the plans, for example by claiming that readmitting traffic but installing zebra crossings would “improve crossing options for pedestrians”.
Jane Harris, from campaign group Save Our Safer Streets, said: “We can’t quite believe that the council is consulting again on the same proposals as just five months ago.
“It’s great to see local headteachers sticking up for the improvements to air quality and street safety for the children of Bethnal Green.
“Many local businesses, stakeholders and residents agree with them. That’s why we keep urging the mayor and the council to talk to us and find a new way forward that builds on what we have, rather than ripping it all out at vast expense.”
