Islington Greens met London Assembly member, Jenny Jones to show her an example of one of the 844 new parking spaces squeezed in to our crowded streets by the Labour council without properly considering the impact on safety for people walking and cycling.
Cyclists on the Sustrans Connect 2 route from Finsbury Park to Highbury Corner now encounter a lethal obstacle blocking access to the cycle bypass at a pinch point on the approach to a dangerous blind bend where Gillespie Road meets Drayton Park.
Charlie Kiss, Highbury East local election candidate and regular cyclist said: “What were they thinking of? As a cyclist this forces me to the middle of the road in to the path of on-coming traffic on a blind corner. Whoever thought this was a good idea should try cycling here. During our visit we witnessed a number of large lorries thundering through these residential streets – removing this parking space should be a council priority.”
Caroline Russell, Highbury East local election candidate, said: “For pedestrians crossing at the pinch point, it is impossible to see or be seen by on-coming traffic. The council has a statutory duty for public health and that includes ensuring our streets are safe for people on foot and on bikes. This Labour car-parking fiasco shows that our Labour council do not understand how to make people-friendly streets.”
Caroline Allen, Green Party no.2 Euro MEP candidate, and Clean Air in London award winner, said: “Making streets that are good for walking and cycling helps reduce car trips and clean up our polluted air. Introducing 844 new parking spaces is not the best way to discourage unnecessary car journeys.”
Ernestas Jegorovas, Green candidate for Highbury West, said: “This is just one example of a parking space squeezed in to an inappropriate location and causing problems for local people. Next week residents can show their support for more people-friendly streets by voting Green to get a Green voice back in the Town Hall.”