WHAT WE FOUND WHEN WE TALKED TO OUR FELLOW RESIDENTS ABOUT THE EFFECT OF THESE PROPOSALS
WHY WE DID IT
A group of us residents shared a view that the level of awareness and understanding around the changes to be made in our area as a result of the Liveable Streets proposals was very low.
We were particularly concerned that a recent Council consultation had received a less than 5% response rate and so showed levels of engagement amongst the community were low.
The residents involved were either concerned about the extent of the proposals given the low level of issues in the area; concerned about the lack of understanding of the impact of the changes; or in favour of more nuanced solutions than simply closing roads.
WHAT WE DID
The literature from the Council had come out in phases and some of it was unclear, incomplete or difficult to read. It was felt that a Local Flyer clarifying the latest proposal around Barnet Grove, highlighting some of the concerns and asking people if they were for or against the changes, would raise awareness and engage more residents.
The Flyer (see here) was distributed to virtually all the houses, flats and apartments in the 10 streets affected. A tear off slip was included so residents could respond. To ensure engagement with the largest number of residents possible in a short space of time, an offer was made to follow up and collect the tear off slips where necessary.
HOW WE DID IT
Over a two-week period six residents knocked on doors for 1-2 hours per night to follow up on the Flyer and to ask people who had not completed a return slip if they wished to do so. 90% of the houses and flats in the consultation area were visited, but only circa 50% of the residents were at home at the time of the call. No re-visits were attempted due to the time limitation.
During the follow up at the door we explained that we were neighbours living locally and were calling about the Liveable Streets proposals. We asked residents if they had seen the Local Flyer and the Council consultation paper and whether they had responded to both and had any questions. If they had not filled in the Local Flyer tear off slip they were asked to do so or to reply by email in their own time.
Residents were also encouraged to respond to the Council’s Liveable Streets consultation. If residents did not want to share their views, or were strongly in favour of the road closures, we thanked them, reiterated that our key aim was to raise awareness and response levels so that residents were heard regardless of their views and left.
WHAT OUR SURVEY FOUND
We received 160 responses by email, or through letterbox / door to door collection. The responses were as follows:
Question: Are you in favour of the hard road closures planned and proposed on the map, which will restrict residents, emergency and service vehicles?
Response: 5% in favour 93.75% against
1.25% unclear / undecided
Question: Are you in favour of extending access at Ropley Street to admit residents, emergency and service vehicles?
Response: 95% in favour
4.4% against
0.6% unclear / undecided
Question: Are you in favour of requesting 24 x 7 cameras to allow access to residents, emergency and service vehicles instead of a hard closure for Option 1 or 2?
Responses: 92.5% in favour
5% against 2.5% unclear
NEXT STEPS
We are sending this letter and summary to each Tower Hamlets Councillor in the hope that you will take note of:
- the overwhelming view from the residents consulted that they do not support hard road closures.
- The high level of response from residents – 39% (160 responses from circa 410 households).
- the high level of engagement that we achieved via this flyer and a direct focused effort.
In view of the above, we would ask to use your influence to request the Council to rethink it’s plans for the Barnet Grove and Ropley St closures.
Thank you
on behalf of Bethnal Green Streets for All
Julia Kuttner, Maggie Hunt, Nick Fiveash, Carol Budd, Annie Watts, Linda Wilkinson