Hackney Council Meeting Brought to Standstill by LTN Protesters
Dozens of protesters surrounded Hackney Town Hall on Monday evening, chanting "open our roads" and forcing a council meeting to a halt. The demonstration, organised by residents campaigning against low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), saw locals pack the council chamber gallery while a crowd gathered outside.
Petition with 1,800 Signatures Presented
Resident ShaToya Rose read out a petition signed by 1,800 people calling for an end to what they described as "excessive road closures" across the borough. She told councillors that residents had lost trust in the Labour-run council's traffic policies, which she claimed had become a "public health issue".
"Mayor Caroline Woodley had stood in this chamber and spoken about community safety, belonging and supporting the most vulnerable," Ms Rose said. "Those words matter. Residents across Hackney are now asking whether those principles are being reflected in practice."
Real-Life Impacts Described
Ms Rose presented 500 impact statements detailing how transport measures were affecting residents' daily lives. She described specific consequences including:
- Children arriving late for school due to traffic displacement
- Families missing hospital appointments, dialysis, and chemotherapy sessions
- Paramedics experiencing delays that put lives at risk
- Families being refused entry to cemeteries for funerals due to late arrivals
- Increased exposure to vehicle fumes in playgrounds and school routes
"These are not abstract concerns," she emphasised. "They are real life impacts being experienced every day. Residents describe having to leave hours early or just avoid gridlock."
Council Responses and Heated Exchanges
The meeting quickly became rowdy as councillors attempted to respond. Councillor Joe Walker defended the council's engagement processes, listing various consultation methods including ward forums, online surveys, and door-to-door conversations.
Hackney's climate chief, Councillor Sarah Young, pointed to independent data showing LTNs had "significantly, dramatically" improved air quality. She acknowledged traffic problems on main roads like Homerton High Street had become "difficult" and was "really causing problems".
Cllr Young highlighted adjustments already made to schemes, including exemptions for Blue Badge holders and changes to school bus routes. She asked for specific details about missed funerals and promised to investigate individual cases.
Meeting Paused Amid Growing Tensions
As Mayor Caroline Woodley attempted to conclude the discussion, she faced further shouts from the gallery and was forced to pause the meeting for several minutes. One attendee, who identified herself as a teacher and long-term Hackney resident, told councillors she was considering leaving the borough due to the transport changes.
Protesters applauded Ms Rose as she left the meeting and joined others on the Town Hall steps. The demonstration reflects growing tensions in Hackney, which has one of London's highest concentrations of LTNs, covering approximately 70% of eligible roads since their rollout began in 2020.
The controversy comes after Transport for London recently acknowledged that additional bus lanes and LTNs had increased congestion for cars in parts of the capital, adding further fuel to the ongoing debate about traffic management strategies in London boroughs.
