Farah London responds to our questions about "LTNs"
In the run up to the Mayoral Election on Thursday 5th May, we've been speaking to the candidates specifically about their views on the "LTN" schemes in Crystal Palace and South Norwood. We put the same questions to all of them.
Below are the responses from Farah London, Taking the Initiative Party.
1) As a candidate, what do you understand about the impact of the LTNs on residents and businesses, for example, have you spoken to people or experienced difficulties first hand?
I have taken the time to visit every borough that has been impacted by LTNs and spoken with hundreds of businesses and residents. LTNs have not only been illegally introduced, but they are also a mass social divide between communities and have created a culture of gated communities. Neighbours who have been friendly for years are now at war as these schemes have created a toxic environment between people and increased pollution. By forcing traffic on to main roads, it has caused more traffic, therefore increased journey times, and added more pollution to the environment, as people are spending longer on their journey times unnecessarily. The LTNs have been set up to divert traffic to poorer areas of the borough, which creates the social divide. I have spoken to the most vulnerable in our society including our elderly community, they are struggling to move easily and are having to walk further with multiple health conditions. The disabled community was also not consulted and the LTNs are directly impacting them and their quality of life. Carers that have highly vulnerable people depending on their visits, are now spending more time stuck in traffic and therefore limiting the time they spend with the people that need them most.
Our emergency workers have no access, for the police it has increased crime, as perpetrators are aware they cannot be chased where the planters are. Both women and men do not feel safe, as there is less traffic on quieter roads, so the likely hood of being attacked has increased. No resident should live in fear day or night. The Ambulance service cannot reach those who need them, they are either stuck in traffic or have no access.
Businesses have directly been affected as they are seeing less footfall, as residents cannot access them easily and are leaving the borough where they can park, as they need to do shopping and cannot walk and carry back their shopping in most circumstance.
In summary they are not positively impacting lives and are causing more harm than good and must be removed.
2) Are you in favour of the LTNs (CHNs) in your area, most specifically the proposed ANPR schemes? Mayoral candidates are asked to consider all schemes.
I am not in favour of any LTN scheme and especially ANPR, this is robbing residents. The Labour council bankrupted Croydon, so instead of using any initiative to raise money for the borough, they decided to set up the unjust and unfair ANPR scheme, tricking residents with unclear road access and issuing fines like hot cakes, so they could generate money.
This is robbing residents and is not acceptable. Millions in fines are being issued, and unfortunately due to no clear signage, fines are issued to any road user, including elderly and those on low incomes.
Residents have a fundamental right to drive, we cannot realistically walk or cycle everywhere and this culture cannot be forced onto people, especially in a borough where crime is rising, and people do not feel safe.
3) Do you agree that the LTNs should be removed until Croydon Council has established evidence of a location specific need for change through monitoring, in line with industry best practice?
I fully support and I will remove all LTNs, as there requires to be fair and democratic resident consultation and factual study if there is a requirement for LTNs in areas. Schemes should only be introduced if they are improving the lives of the residents, all the evidence has shown more damage to residents not improvements to lives.
A council cannot dictate to the community, they need to listen instead. Its time for change.
4) If a need for traffic calming measures is identified do you agree that a range of possible solutions, not limited to LTNs, that proportionately meet the need should be put forward for consideration by the community?
I fully support community led policies, not unjust schemes being forced onto residents. I want to introduce a fair and democratic process which involves community groups, so we can involve residents in decision making. One thing LTNs identified how members of the community were excluded from consultation and suffering increased mental and physical anguish by poor decision making.
5) Croydon Council disregarded the 62% of residents who rejected the ANPR proposal for the Auckland Rd LTN, the 70% who rejected the proposals for Holmesdale Road and the 72% who rejected the proposals for Albert Road. Do you think the results of consultations should be honoured as part of a democratic process and to take public opinion with you?
As I said above, a council should represent the residents and not dictate to them, that is why I will honour the survey results and immediately have them removed. No ifs or buts, just action. We deserve a leader that listens and acts, not one that pushes a unified political agenda across London and enforces their unjust schemes.
6) Built into the design of the Auckland Road LTN, traffic was forced to divert through the narrow and winding streets in Bromley north on the borders of the Croydon LTN (Belvedere Road, Cintra Park, Patterson Road and Milestone Road). 99.3% of the residents of those streets who took part in the consultation wanted the LTN removed. What is your view on this?
It’s a clear line, needs to be removed, there really is no other view to have, if the residents voted them out, I ask you why a consultation was done in the first place, if it was going to be ignored. More evidence why we need to vote the reds and blues out, as they do not listen. The blues funded the scheme and labour enforced it.
7) In light of Croydon’s bankruptcy and the fact these punitive schemes are intended to be revenue generating in times of a severe cost of living squeeze, what other alternatives would you propose to assist economic recovery in Croydon?
The council should never be taking money away from the residents especially for their failings. I have written policies to generate revenue for Croydon and open Croydon for much needed investment, which will create jobs, improve lives and provide opportunities.
One of the projects is to bring business tourism to Croydon, by opening an Exhibition and Conference Centre in the heart of Croydon, to host international trade and exhibitions, with our links to Gatwick, it is a natural gateway for business, this will bring more revenue for local businesses, improve our hospitality sector and most importantly create jobs.
In addition, I will be opening Tech Croydon, bringing the biggest tech giants to invest hundreds of millions into Croydon, so we can develop a tech eco system, inviting the greatest minds from all over the world, so Croydon stands at the centre of excellence in Tech development for the whole UK and Europe. We will offer free coding and computer courses for any resident in Croydon and any age, building a workforce for Tech Croydon.
I have already secured millions of investment ready for Croydon, the redundant building will see life again and bring pride back to Croydon and increase the value of homes and businesses.
I am also intending to open Wework co working offices, so we can help to empower local entrepreneurs in Croydon, create a thriving business hub, which will generate much needed money for our communities.
The decision to not open Westfield was a nail in the coffin for Croydon’s shopping for residents, residents are now leaving the borough to shop, not only is parking more expensive in Croydon, we have lost all appeal to shoppers. I plan to work with the right partners to redevelop our shopping experience, this will include opening the shopping centre Croydon deserves. Introducing more variety from boutique small businesses to luxury brands, with the latest trends, free parking and a dedicated food court to promote social and friendly spaces to enjoy culinary at its best. I want to create a warm and friendly environment for residents, this will include opening Croydon’s first annual Christmas market.
Croydon will be the centre of the UK for Indoor Farming. I will Replicate the Dutch model for sustainable agriculture supporting innovation and the use of new and more efficient technologies to grow local produce.