Residents of Dulich told The Telegraph that they were unknowingly fined for running away from school, while another paid £ 100 a week in extra fees for his disabled son to go to school due to blocked traffic, and other streets saw businesses closed due to a sharp drop in the steps.
“The whole thing is an absolute disgrace – we were not advised at all, we were forced to, so we feel very angry. We wonder what else we can do, “said Maggie Brown, 71, co-founder of the East Dulwich Grove Residents Group.
“It was very much driven by the cycling lobby. There is no evidence that we have had any benefits – and there are no benefits to improving air pollution, it has actually gotten worse.
“It’s awful to be in an area where you feel governed, so now I’m considering moving.”
The Southwark Council says Dulwich has seen the biggest drop in vehicle traffic since 2021. However, last year his own report found that on external roads in Champion Hill, Dulwich Village and East Dulwich, all car traffic is either leveled, or enlarged.
The Council’s Air Quality Modeling Report estimates that Dulwich LTNs “have little positive impact on health”.
And a survey of residents of seven key border roads in Dulic, affected by the closure of LTN in January, found that traffic was “out of control”, growing by an average of 20 percent during the week, including an average of 35 percent per section.
“Older people are afraid to go shopping”
Richard Oldwinkle, co-founder of the One Dulwich Residents’ Group against LTN for the Elderly and Disabled, said: “What used to be a relatively fast trip is now a huge diversion on congested roads. There are a number of concerns, including for blue badge holders.
“Many older people are now afraid to go shopping and there are examples of some being demolished. And of course, people living on so-called border roads also suffer from health and pollution problems – some can no longer open their windows due to congestion.
Retired Linda Bird, who lives in the center of the Dulwich Village fines district, added: “If I want to go south from the cameras while the cameras are on, I have to drive two and a half miles in heavy traffic instead of 200 yards to my house. I don’t see how it reduces pollution – it just shifts it to another path. “
Cllr Catherine Rose, a cabinet member of Southwark’s transport council, said: “The scheme has been modified in response to a major consultation process and is balanced against the needs of the whole community.
“Local compliance has improved over the last two years. We have taken measures such as changing the times of restrictions in line with school streets and improved all signs for drivers as part of making the scheme permanent.
“Implementation is needed to support the work being done to improve air quality, road safety and accessibility and to reduce the use of cars, especially for short journeys.
The council said the proceeds of the fine had been reinvested in the highway department for road and air quality measures. Dulwich, an area with several top private schools, including Alleyn’s and Dulwich College, has no subway stations, so many residents rely on their cars.
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