‘Roamer’ initiative will fill the roads with more traffic

Published: 28 January, 2011

• THE worst time to cycle or use public transport is during commuting hours. Who would dream of trying to extend those conditions into the whole day? Islington Council.

Over the last 10 years, cycling has flourished and part of the reason has to be the very intentional effect of the controlled park zones to restrain traffic. 

However, the proposed introduction of “roamer” parking is a worrying departure from the council’s long-standing sustainable transport policy.  Council officers don’t appear to know how many new trips will be created and executive members don’t seem to have asked.

The council admits in last October’s report to the executive that the “roamer” parking scheme is being introduced to soften the blow of the hike in the price of residents’ parking permits.  However, road space is precious in Islington and residents get to block valuable and safe cycling space every day and at a very cheap price; the council should not offer sweeteners. 

Islington Cyclists’ Action Group calls on the council to abandon the proposed “roamer” parking scheme and introduce instead a very limited scheme open to those who can only travel by car and have to visit different parts of the borough during the day. 

JOHN ACKERS 
Secretary, Islington Cyclists’ Action Group

• THE “roamer” parking scheme looks like a bribe to sweeten the pill of higher permit charges being brought in simultaneously.

It’s also undemocratic, a decision made after (an expensive) consultation with permit-holders only. The council might as well have asked turkeys if they support the abolition of Christmas. 

More than half the borough’s households don’t own a car but these residents have been denied a say about the increased traffic which will inevitably result during the “roaming” period.

Disenfranchising more than half of Islington households is either a cynical ploy to achieve the desired outcome or a sign of gross incompetence. 

Executive member for the environment, Councillor Paul Smith, is in charge of traffic policy. Combining traffic and environmental hats allows him to promote best practice in both areas for all residents. Increased traffic movements will result in the opposite. Degraded air-quality and reduced safety are detrimental to good public health and the environment. They are in no one’s interest. 

There is still time to have your say. 

MEG HOWARTH
Ellington Street, N7