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Well it is Central Govt Emergency Powers and wanting to reduce car use and increase the amount of cycling and walking space during Covid that has brought this about.  Govt know that restricting car use is not likely to be very popular with the residents with wheels - car wheels -  particularly those who rarely walk or cycle and always get in their car when they want to go anywhere.  In fact many who cycle also drive but just not as much.  The LTNs are trials and it will be interesting to hear more from those who aren't as vociferous as those who immediately complained.  There are others who are enjoying not having rat runners racing down their streets.  There are many who exceed the 20mph limits particularly when there are long clear roads.  The consultations are actually during the trials rather than afterwards.  It has meant that many more have actually been aware of them.  Otherwise it just tends to be online and only those online and vociferous who learn about and fill in the consultations.There are many roads which could do with traffic calming.  There are many delivery companies which ought to have better systems so that they do not go out on so many journeys and for them to do that we will need to learn that it is better for us and the planet and the delivery drivers if we do not expect everything delivered immediately.  Some of these delivery companies should also improve their vehicles by making them emission-free and should be allowed to take enough time over their deliveries that they won't feel they need to wreck our pavements and make them dangerous by driving over them.Lockdown brought many young and new cyclists onto the roads for the first time.  It was lovely seeing families out in convoy and there are children who cycle to and from school with a parent.  It was felt that when lockdown was eased car use would increase to more than it was before - and sadly it did.This Govt has been taken to the High Court three times and lost because of the air pollution we have in this country. They actually lobbied the EU to try and get them to change the numbers so that our air pollution would not look so bad.  Of course it might be unpopular with their electorate so they gave the job to the London Mayor to do.  Pollution has actually reduced with the ULEZ and it is intended that ULEZ will be extended in 2021 to take older and more polluting vehicles off the road. There are scrappage schemes.So please don't drive unless you need to - and yes there are people who need cars and vans for their jobs - but they probably don't every day and all of the time!The air was so much cleaner and the roads so much quieter during lockdown.

Philippa Bond ● 1262d