Controversial road closures along the “cycle superhighway” route will be “trialled” from Monday.
The two sets of closures, in the Wordsworth Road area and in De Beauvoir, have caused anger and division among neighbours.
Transport for London (TfL) announced the plans would go ahead in the Wordsworth Road area back in August, to the anger of many people in the area.
The decision followed a consultation last autumn, which found just 49 per cent of people supported, or “partially supported” the closures.
The trial will last 18 months, the first six of which will serve as a consultation, according to TfL.
It will mean:
Wordsworth Road is closed at the junction with Matthias Road and Boleyn Road
Bennett Road is closed at the junction with Wordsworth Road
Salcombe Road is closed at the junction with Truman’s Road
Initially the routes will be blocked using temporary plastic barriers and the gates and bollards will take six to eight weeks to install, weather permitting.
Dr Milan Gangola, of Barrett’s Grove Surgery, was one of the main opponents of the scheme and his practice submitted 173 responses from patients and staff, some of whom will now have to take a detour around the houses.
He told the Gazette: “It is unjust and unfair on the people who live on the north side who need dropping off or are in wheelchairs.
“I don’t think they have taken into consideration the older and most vulnerable patients or the fact primary care is an essential public service. They say the detour is only two minutes but in reality it’s not.”
The consultation over the De Beauvoir road closures had to be extended following outrage from some quarters at the plans, and two rival petitions were set up by neighbours.
The scheme will see:
Ardleigh Road blocked at the junction with Culford Road
Culford Road closed at the junction with Culford Grove
De Beauvoir Road closed at the junction with Stamford Road and Englefield Road
De Beauvoir Road closed at the junction with Buckingham Road
De Beauvoir Road closed at the junction with Tottenham Road
The town hall has said due to the concerns raised it will monitor the impact of the closures in Wordsworth Road closely.
People can share their thoughts with the council before March 17 by emailing info@hackney.gov.uk with the subject line: “CS1 Wordsworth Rd Closures”.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here