Who benefits from a low-traffic Hackney?

We recognise that many changes have been introduced within a short period, leading to some understandable confusion. However, we believe that the changes are overwhelmingly positive, and bring multiple benefits to many groups.

• ​Improved pedestrian experience – anyone who walks in and around their neighbourhood benefits from the introduction of quieter streets.
• Residents – streets become quieter and cleaner, the pace of life is calmer, leading to closer community cohesion. Research shows that crime levels fall, car ownership falls, and increases are seen in walking and cycling. 
• Parents and children – fear of road traffic injury limits children’s independence. Safer streets mean children are able to walk or cycle to school, and breathe clean air while doing so.
• Elderly and disabled people – quieter street conditions facilitate people to travel by means other than cars. Our streets become more accessible for mobility scooters, e-bikes, hand cycles and more.
• Shop owners – making streets more appealing for pedestrians and cyclists can boost footfall and trading in nearby shops by up to 40%. Those who stroll past a small independent cafe or shop are much more likely to stop and drop in than someone in a car.
• Drivers – by discouraging unnecessary car journeys, an LTN means less congestion for those who genuinely need a car to get around. Drivers are still able to drive to their homes. Only 30% of Hackney households own or have access to a car.
• Emergency services – despite fears that emergency services are by LTNs, data shows response times improve when an LTN is introduced. Less traffic means that emergency services can get to an emergency faster.
• Cyclists – fewer cars means safer routes for cyclists, with particular benefits for newer or returning cyclists.
• The NHS – air pollution and inactivity are big public health issues and making streets more friendly for active travel addresses demands on the NHS and the climate emergency. Homerton Hospital Trust called for the implementation of the emergency active travel plan.