We’ve got to tame the worst excesses of cars

Published: 28 April, 2011

• A NUMBER of stories in your April 21 edition were united by a single theme – the problems created by our undue deference to the motor car and failure to ensure it is used safely and in a manner that doesn’t reduce the quality of all of our lives.

You report yet another accident on Camden Road (all too often used as a speedway), following the tragic death of a cyclist there earlier this month; an alleged attempt by developers to take over an ancient thoroughfare in front of the former Baptist church in Highgate Road for a car park; and the views of community groups that the Archway gyratory must be scrapped (among them both Camden and Islington Green parties).

And over the past week there’s been the painful demonstration – seen by anyone viewing the dirty great brown stain across our skyline – of the high levels of pollution in London, a visible demonstration of the threat that claims more than 4,000 London lives every year that’s mostly caused by vehicle engines.

Motor vehicles are dangerous, environmentally disastrous and frightening to other road users, particularly the young and the old.

We can’t do without them, but we do have to manage them a great deal more effectively for the benefit of all, including drivers, who also are sometimes pedestrians, and also have to breathe the air they’ve despoiled.

NATALIE BENNETT
Chair, 
Camden Green Party