To think that the current traffic restrictions are fucking ridiculous

[Gobelinoisawitchescat]

I live in SE London - and since these sodding barriers have gone up all over the place the roads are just completely blocked with traffic.

While I know someone is going to come on talking about climate change etc - am not sure how directing all the traffic to one location makes a damn bit of difference - the cars are still on the roads, they’re just concentrated in certain ones.

Am I missing something?

And please don't let your children play football in the street. Send them to a park.

The Lee Green LTN is awful, last week was even worse with the burst water main and it took me 1.5hrs on a bus from Burnt Ash to Lewisham Station. I went that way to get to Bromley as the traffic into Baring Road hadn’t moved in 20 mins. Thurs night it took 28 mins to literally get round the corner between the 2 junctions into Baring Road. The traffic noise level has really gone up and so many people leaning on their horns in frustration

I don’t quite believe this utopia I’d kids playing in the streets etc. I live on a private road (though it is open to traffic) and kids really don’t play on the streets.

It's funny how all those rejoicing in their 'mini Hollands' don't give a shit about those people living on adjoining roads who now have even more pollution due to idling cars.

Lots of angry posts on nextdoor about people whose car journey used to take 5 minutes and now takes 30. I'm sure some of them could not have managed to walk that for various disability reasons, but surely not all.

Now that public transport can't be so packed, there are thousands of people looking for other ways to make journeys. If they all buy cars, then nothing will ever move on streets again. But they won't cycle if it's not safe.

I have bought a bike as I feel bad taking up space on a bus, especially with two small children. The people friendly roads are ok / nice to cycle on; everything else is fucking terrifying. Do you want me to buy a car too? And all my car-less friends and neighbours? And all THEIR car-less friends and neighbours? How will your drive be then?

@refriedbeanstalk don’t be ridiculous - people without cars aren’t suddenly buying them for the commute!

I am being general but I do t know a single person who would pay the amount needed to drive into central London. What £15 congestion charge and may £20/ day parking?
No - those who drive for work tend to be healthCare workers, nhs staff etc. So yet another example of how these schemes seem to benefit the wealthy.

I wonder how the residents neighbouring your ‘little Holland’ are finding it? I doubt the children who live there will have the pleasure of playing in the street given the additional traffic and pollution?

Can't speak for other areas but the streets that have the additional traffic around here are not suitable for children playing in them. They are main roads.

@Gobelinoisawitchescat

I don’t quite believe this utopia I’d kids playing in the streets etc. I live on a private road (though it is open to traffic) and kids really don’t play on the streets.

I didn't believe it either until it happened but hey ho, you can call me a liar if you wish 🤷‍♀️

But we are all supposed to be on our bikes OP! We have lost half the main road here because of this bloody huge bike lane that is rarely used - the cyclists still hurtle along the pavement (almost got knocked over today by a huge guy flying along the pavement towards a flock of tourists).

@Gobelinoisawitchescat two previously car-free people I know bought cars last week. That's only going to increase.

Not sure how car-free streets only benefit the wealthy when it's only people over a certain income who can afford cars at all?

NHS isn't a magical excuse for driving everywhere. My DH is NHS, and walks to work. It's a distance you would no doubt drive. Brompton have been giving out bikes to staff at a local hospital. Amazing gesture but useless if they are risking serious injury on the way to work.

I find it incredible that people don't understand that constantly increasing private car ownership is not sustainable, either for the roads or the planet. I'm sure it's nice for you to drive everywhere but have a think about other people for a change.

[quote refriedbeanstalk]@Gobelinoisawitchescat two previously car-free people I know bought cars last week. That's only going to increase.

Not sure how car-free streets only benefit the wealthy when it's only people over a certain income who can afford cars at all?

NHS isn't a magical excuse for driving everywhere. My DH is NHS, and walks to work. It's a distance you would no doubt drive. Brompton have been giving out bikes to staff at a local hospital. Amazing gesture but useless if they are risking serious injury on the way to work.

I find it incredible that people don't understand that constantly increasing private car ownership is not sustainable, either for the roads or the planet. I'm sure it's nice for you to drive everywhere but have a think about other people for a change. [/quote]
When I was hospital based I took public transport. However Community NHS posts mean that you visit people in their own homes since they are housebound. Do you have any idea how many District Nurses have to see in one day with strict deadlines to administer insulin and pain relief. I manage a community therapy team. We take equipment our such as walking frames, bathing equipment and commodes in our own cars. Do you really think it is feasible to do this walking or using public transport?

Are you in Greenwich @Gobelinoisawitchescat? It's turned into a traffic nightmare! It was bad before but now it's just gridlock every day...

@refriedbeanstalk trust me around here the roads closures are mainly benefiting the wealthy.
I rarely drive - I work from home (always habe not a covid thing) when I have meetings I take a train.

However even walking down our main roads you can see the difference. Traffic is clogged up, pedestrians cannot cross etc.

@Lightsabre am in blackheath - so it’s both the Greenwich and the Lewisham closures that I’m talking about really.

@edwinbear, totally agree, Lee is also a nightmare at the moment.

@refriedbeanstalk also to be fair Brompton is in Chelsea so rather a different location to say, the Queen Elizabeth at Woolwich,

Some London Boroughs apparatchiks have really been indulging their inner dictator.

It was mayhem where I live until they came to their senses and removed the stupid planters.

FFS. Between that and the Mayor's congestion charge extensions London is really fucked up, It only makes congestion worse and air pollution off the charts.

And to make things worse, I've read that they're thinking of stopping through traffic in Greenwich Park. I moved a bit further out a year ago but still have to drive every day to the SE10, SE3, SE12 area.

I lived in Crystal Palace up until this summer, and have to drive through frequently - it’s horrendous, I avoid the triangle now, when I used to spend quite a bit of time (and money ) there. I feel awful for the people on church road/the triangle who have to deal with the awful traffic.

I’ve now moved to a different part of London and I’m in a brand new LTN. I suppose since it’s my road which is now quieter I should be happy - but it’s awful, if there isn’t any parking on the stretch of road which is outside our home, I have to go back into the main roads and spend about 20 minutes to pop up on the other side of the planter. Ridiculous.

I also hate the pressure to cycle - I don’t want to for various reasons, I already walk or use public transport where possible.

I’ve e mailed the councillors for both Greenwich and Lewisham this week. Both replied saying they couldn’t help, the Greenwich councillor (whose constituency includes the Sutcliffe Park junction), because I live in SE12, so Lewisham borough, so I’m not his problem.

The Lewisham councillor won’t help because the junction ‘belongs’ to Greenwich. What a fucking joke. Our elected representatives really don’t give a shit.

@Hillypark the whole “everyone should cycle” if ridiculous. Dh has just bought a second hand bike - it cost £300! And will no doubt he stolen at some point. I won’t cycle 2 I’m rubbish at it and too nervous in the roads.

I do walk and take public transport but when I need to get a weekly shop or visit my parents yes I do need my car.

I’d love someone to show me how I can cycle with my dogs perched in the basket when they need the vet. They are big hairy beasts.

853 the public interest journalism site for Greenwich and the area might pick up the story and there are also several local groups who might be able to lobby Greenwich and Lewisham Councils.

@Lightsabre what would have been great is for someone to measure pollution levels before and after. As in I imagine some of the rods in Lee weren’t exactly high in the first place - but Lee High road must be awful now compared with before.