Residents of Dulwich have once again expressed their frustration with Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in a demonstration on Tuesday, December 7.
Organised by Age Speaks – a group set up specifically to protest the difficulties faced by elderly residents as a result of LTNs – 30 people, many of them with disabilities and mobility issues, protested outside Southwark Council’s offices on Tooley Street earlier this week.
LTNs have been a constant source of controversy since their introduction to Dulwich in June 2020. A protest in October saw an estimated thousand people take to the streets to fight against them.
One of the key issues raised by Tuesday’s protestors were that they rely on their cars to attend GP appointments and to see friends, resulting in loneliness and other mental health issues.
Age Speaks spokesperson Jo-an Evans said: “We have written as individuals to Southwark Council about how the closures discriminate against us but they have ignored our needs and prioritised people who are able to walk and cycle. That’s unfair”.
“Journeys take up to an hour longer which is making life hell for older people with mobility problems who have to use their cars as there is such poor public transport in the area and no east-west bus service.
“There is no good reason why Southwark Council cannot allow exemptions for elderly people and those with disabilities to go through the Dulwich Village junction and other camera-controlled restrictions”.
“I am in my seventies,” said one resident, who asked not to be named. “The consequences of the LTNs on my medical services has had a hugely detrimental impact on my quality of life.”
The council highlighted that Dulwich has potentially the best health indicators for elderly people in Southwark.
Cabinet member for transport, parks and sport Catherine Rose said: “Driving is an important liberty for many older residents, who wish to continue driving after 70. We are providing a choice to use their cars less often, if they are able to.
“Our ultimate aim however, is to change local travel habits – Streetspace measures don’t cause pollution or congestion, cars do.
“Of course walking and cycling aren’t always possible for some people and we do not claim we have got it all right. However we have seen real benefits and hope local residents continue to choose walking, cycling and scooting to local places, and choose cars less.
“Our final decision is based on a fair and balanced outcome for the whole borough. Ultimately that does mean changing the way we design and use our streets, and we hope residents can appreciate this and work with us to make our borough a greener and safer place to live, visit and work in.”