Important information about Tower Hamlets Liveable Streets Bethnal Green proposals (Scheme 2&3), which will affect resident access to the Jesus Green Estate & surrounds.
As you may be aware the Council has started to implement the Liveable Streets proposal across Tower Hamlets. Schemes 2 and 3, which focus on Columbia Road and the surrounding area start in July & August. The Council states that 65% – 70% of residents support the proposals.
It is worth noting that whilst the Tower Hamlets Council state 68% of Bethnal Green residents support schemes 2 and 3, this percentage is based on only 1,052 responses tothefinalconsultation. The 68% represents 715 residents who live in the overall area i.e. Schemes 1 – 4 out of a potential 22,000+ residents.
We have a real concern that while residents support the overall principle of the scheme “to improve public space and air quality,” but may not be aware of all the permanent hard road closures and their combined impact.
We live in a compact area with narrow streets and relatively little traffic. The plans introduce single hard points of entry and exit, which could create blockages of entire areas. Journeys in and out of the area would become complicated and traffic will be directed down some of our narrowest streets.
The impact on the emergency service, disability and carer vehicles, disabled access and taxis for the elderly are some of our primary concerns. These do not appear to have been adequately considered by the Council. Large service vehicles including rubbish trucks, food and parcel deliveries may also be impacted and / or block our streets.
We are keen to ensure that people understand the extent of the closures and their impact. The Council is also due to consult further on road closures inScheme 3 Warner Place. This is as a result of concerns raised about the proposed closure at the top of Barnet Grove where it meets Columbia Rd. We are told this consultation will take place in the next 2-3 weeks.
The two alternative options being proposed are:
- Option 1 – a closure on both Barnet Grove and Durant St plus a pocket park
- Option 2 – a closure at the junction of Quilter St with Ravenscroft St and a closureat the junction of Barnet Grove / Wellington RowThe hard closures on Barnet Grove & Durant Street divide the entire area in two and severely reduce access from the Hackney Rd and Bethnal Green Rd for emergency and other services. All traffic to the area south of the closure is forced along Gossett St and Wellington Row past Mulberry Academy. Traffic north of the closure has no access to the Bethnal Green Rd. Rerouting by road e.g. to access the Bethnal Green Surgery adds more than 2 miles on busy main roads if walking is not an option.Option 2 does not appear to offer a viable alternative. On Sundays the only access to the entire area would be via Shipton Street.The attached map was created prior to the new Sunday Market layout.
All the agreed hard closures and the two remaining options up for consultation are shown on the area map enclosed (marked in red and white). Also shown is an additional hard closure at the junction of Ropley St & Hackney Rd added by the Council post consultation. This road will only be open on Sunday to allow access for market traders. This closure removes a major entry and exit point to the area.
Given the extent of both the planned and proposed closures, we would like to propose a more flexible approach is adopted through the use of smart camera technology at these junctions. This would stop non-resident rat running but allow residents to move more freely. As an example, if Ropley St can open for market traders, it should be possible to open access to residents, emergency and service vehicles. Time restricted access cameras and other signage have been successfully implemented and / or are under consideration in other boroughs e.g. Hammersmith: https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/transport-and-roads/sw6-traffic-reduction-plan-launching-july
Please take another look and let us know whether you approve of the closures.
This is a printable version of this leaflet with a tear off slip for you to respond and we encourage you to use this. A summary of the responses will be shared with everyone in line with Data Protection.
If you have questions you would like to put directly to the Council you can raise them here.
This leaflet was put together by the following residents: Carol Budd, Nick Fiveash, Maggie Hunt, Julia Kuttner Annie Watts & Linda Wilkinson