Hundreds of angry residents and local business owners turned up outside Islington Town Hall Upper Street, to protest about the recent blocking of through routes which has resulted in traffic being squeezed onto the main roads (which, themselves have been narrowed in places for social distancing).
Protesters arrived at the Town Hall at 1pm, to listen to speeches from resident groups chairpersons and invited guest speakers.
Among the assembled was ITV's Loose Women presenter and local resident, Linda Robson.
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Among the assembled was ITV's Loose Women presenter and local resident, Linda Robson.
As the facts were relayed to the crowed, they grew even more angry and decided to move from the Town Hall steps, to a nearby pedestrian crossing. Children laid in the road holding signs which read;
"Let Islington Breathe"
"Let Islington Breathe"
I spoke to a few firemen from the nearby Islington fire station and they said they supported the protest 100%.
A few days ago, a fire crew had trouble removing a new set of bollards with a key. This delay was unnecessary and could have been deadly. We’ve also heard from a number of ambulance drivers who said delays taking diversion routes to a local Care Home, with the added gridlock these restricted areas are causing, had already put lives in danger.
A few days ago, a fire crew had trouble removing a new set of bollards with a key. This delay was unnecessary and could have been deadly. We’ve also heard from a number of ambulance drivers who said delays taking diversion routes to a local Care Home, with the added gridlock these restricted areas are causing, had already put lives in danger.
Taxi drivers who live in Islington also attended, complaining that the council, by restricting access to certain streets are discriminating against disabled passengers who completely rely on the 100% wheelchair accessible Taxi vehicles.
Traffic grew to a standstill and at one point, police were seen helping buses to u-turn, just to get away from the gridlock.
Priority was given when needed to emergency vehicles on blue's and two's.
Priority was given when needed to emergency vehicles on blue's and two's.
One campaigner told the councils unelected chief executive in charge of delivering these unpopular restrictions, that if the council didn’t remove the obstructions a bit sharpish, then the residents themselves would take action and remove them.
This type of restriction, is causing gridlocked roads in many borough, lowering air quality with toxic fumes being constantly pumped into the air. Camden council is currently at the top of the dirty council list.
TAXI LEAKS EXTRA BIT:
On the way to the protest this caught my eye!!!
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Islington council have widened a pavement outside the Angel tube station. The pavement width at this point is already in the realms of 20-25 feet. The council have pushed barriers out into the traffics inside lane at the junction of the Liverpool Road intersection causing a bottle neck, plus by doing this, taking away the through route bus lane. This has resulted in even more congestion. The So called safety measure is totally unnecessary.
Islington council have widened a pavement outside the Angel tube station. The pavement width at this point is already in the realms of 20-25 feet. The council have pushed barriers out into the traffics inside lane at the junction of the Liverpool Road intersection causing a bottle neck, plus by doing this, taking away the through route bus lane. This has resulted in even more congestion. The So called safety measure is totally unnecessary.
Residents say that these ill thought out schemes show the councillors and planners really haven’t got the slightest idea about what they're doing to the area. Many residents are now longing for council elections... when they can look forward to having a clean sweep of these totally inadequate local government officers