Residents and shopkeepers on the historic Columbia Road in Tower Hamlets are divided in opinion about a new Liveable Streets proposal which aims to curb traffic around the area.
The controversial plan to restrict vehicle access around the road – home of the famous Sunday flower market – is opposed by many traders but supported by residents aware that vehicle emissions are dangerously high.
The area was a notorious East London slum before philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts purchased the land for regeneration in the 1840s. She established the market and a row of shops to service the local Jewish community from the Jesus Hospital Estate nearby. The row of Victorian shops are now boutique stores, independent businesses, coffee shops and galleries.
However, many working on Columbia Road oppose the scheme, believing their tight-knit community of residents, shop owners and market keepers would be divided by restricted access and small businesses would be threatened by a reduction in passing traffic.
Independent shops on the road range from Val’s Sandwich Bar, which has been on Columbia Road for over 30 years, and new bijou stores such Dandy Starr clothes and gift shop.
Michelle Mason, owner of Mason & Painter said: “What are they trying to do? Shut down local businesses? This area is one of the last remaining streets in the UK that’s just independent shops…it’s a jewel in the Tower Hamlets crown. If that gets taken away, the ease of use and of deliveries, it’s going to have a huge impact on small businesses.”
Amanda Shaw, of tile store Mosaic Factory, said to Eastlondonlines: “The congestion and rat race round Columbia Market which I see each evening will merely be diverted to Bethnal Green road rather than solved.”
Some residents in the area are concerned and see the proposals as curtailing their rights as drivers, restricting the access of those less mobile, diverting pollution and displacing the rat race elsewhere whilst causing detours of up to 2 miles. Local resident Andy Scott told Eastlondonlines: “Seemingly they would prefer it if we all walked or cycled everywhere and the roads were all pedestrianised! Well, sadly some of us are unable to and cannot do either.”
A local business owner who wished not to be named and who has been on Columbia Road for over three decades, told Eastlondonlines: “It’s going to be like the Mad Hatters Tea Party when these proposals are in place. It’s ludicrous, they’re making a fucking mess of the place. But it’s going to happen and there’s nothing we can do to stop it.”
On the other end of the spectrum, some shopkeepers, residents and environmental activists are in ardent support of the council’s proposals, believing the scheme has been a long time coming.
Some independent business owners such as Tom Bloom recognise the benefits of traffic reduction in the area. Bloom owns Milagros, a homeware store on Columbia Road. He told Eastlondonlines: “I think we have to reduce traffic generally… I can see it’s really irritating to make a journey of a few hundred meters into several miles, but it may be an inconvenience we have to put up with. They need to stop people bringing their kids to school in big cars. This will make a difference to the air quality.”
Resident Alex Jenkins, campaigner for Better Streets for Tower Hamlets, told Eastlondonlines he does not believe retailers would be negatively affected by the proposals. Jenkins said: “The fact is that people on foot or on bikes are far more likely to stop off at shops than those driving through. People are much more likely to want to spend time shopping on streets which aren’t dominated by motor traffic. A recent survey of shoppers on nearby Roman Road showed that 85% of them had walked or cycled there.”
The proposals include two significant road closures, at the Columbia Road junction with Gosset Street and at the junction with Barnet Grove.
Nitrogen dioxide emissions on Columbia Road and Gosset Street currently far exceed recommended pollution levels. Tower Hamlets Council say that many of the journeys around the area are short and potentially unnecessary. A spokesperson said: “These trips are under 1.2 miles…we’re talking five-to-ten minute walks. We know these car trips are not essential.”
Liveable Streets have been trialed across London to improve air quality and safety with many trials reporting positive outcomes. Schemes trialed last year in Enfield and Waltham Forest saw a significant reduction in overall car use and an increase in positive attitudes to cycling.
Tower Hamlets Council told Eastlondonlines: “Outside the nursery school on Columbia Road, there are 8,550 vehicles passing per day…school children every day are having to put up with this traffic pollution.”
Bethnal Green resident and environmental activist, Robert Andari, said: “We thought we were powerless to do anything about the onslaught of traffic and exhaust fumes, which is why many are so enthusiastic about the council’s proposals which offer us real hope.”
The range of reactions to the scheme reflect wider trends and conversations that are only increasing as the climate emergency gains momentum.
The results of the public consultation on the Bethnal Green Liveable Streets proposals will be announced in January.
The very nature of newer, lower or zero emission vehicles creeping onto our streets day by day, along with new legislation to penalise higher-polluting vehicles only a year or so away, means closing roads will become pointless, anyway! I would be far more concerned about poor road craft from ALL road users, then pollution as that will fall anyway. Then, the street closures will take the credit for that, making it a lot easier to “Fool” People in to thinking more closures will be good. The irony is that the closures will affect the local road user more, as they will have to follow the new road lay-outs in order to get in or out of their local streets, whilst also having to face the issue of all the displaced traffic, trying to use the same (In this case, two, Hackney Road and Bethnal Green Road) Major routes in to central London. The situation that will still continue, despite lower emissions, will be even more poorly ridden cycles, rushing past both Columbia Primary and Columbia Nursery Schools, often riding three abreast, overtaking each other at any opportunity, ignoring slowed/stopped traffic, whilst nonchalantly weaving in and out of vehicles, creating a major menace and in many school parents opinions, a real danger, to children trying to negotiate crossing roads, at the busiest times of the day. Indeed, Tower Hamlets Council have been implicit in this, by actually designating and actively encouraging cyclists/cycle routes, right along Columbia Road, past both these schools. I am a driving instructor and have witnessed on many occasions, extremely poor road craft from this group of road users, who seem to have very little in the way of comeback, responsibility, or concern regarding others, whilst trying to get to their destination as quickly as possible. Creating one-way streets does nothing to prevent this issue as most cyclists ignore them and again, the so-called contra-flow systems added, exclusively for this group, do nothing to help as they give the “Nod” To this type of procedure, making it harder to deter cyclists from doing this, when NOT allowed!
In essence, pollution is now healing its-self, albeit slowly, (As with all progress- you simply can’t force it, it has to be done stage, by stage). Cyclists, however, are becoming the bigger issue and as always, have such a large vocal group, that their needs/wishes are acted on, disproportionately to other road users needs. Bare in mind, the term “Road user” applies equally, to all. Pavements are for pedestrians, roads for road users and crossings, traffic signs, road regulations are for EVERYONE! Also, bare in mind, the large majority of cyclists of adult age, carry driving licenses too, so following the rules should be well within their mindset, This in mind, breaking road rules/regulations on a cycle, absolutely SHOULD carry the same penalties as when driving or riding a motorcycle.
This means penalty points and fines, etc for breaking the rules, with loss of driving privilege, if points reach the limit.
Granted you cannot stop someone from riding still, as the cycle will be unlicensed but who would continue getting points, only to never be able to drive, too!
Oh, and I too, ride a cycle on occasion-I am not anti-cycle just anti-fairness.
People can be so entitled about their cars! Their god-given “right” to have cars! Well, my two young children and I have to go on narrow pavements on either side of Columbia Road, whenever we want to shop (often), and yet we have no “rights.” We have to squeeze alongside socially-distanced queues outside shops. I am unable to wheel a double buggy on some parts of the pavements because it’s too narrow or there are roadworks. Yet a mere car has incredible rights to parking and moving about freely.
Ridiculous that the proposed barrier will “divide” the community! Heard of this thing — walking? Even mobility scooters would have a lot more space to move around on the roads, rather than being on narrow pavements.
And what did they do in the time before cars?? Jesus Green Hospital Estate existed long before cars were in common usage.