Saturday 16 October 2021, 12 noon
Briefing note for the Dulwich Alliance protest at the junction of Dulwich Village/Court Lane/Calton Avenue
Dear Supporter
Thank you very much for your support for the protest. It is by banding together that we can make our voices heard, and by continuing to campaign for a better and fairer scheme that works for everyone, not just a few, that our democratic rights can be upheld. Please read to the end of this note for requests for action on the day.
Background
Southwark Council imposed the LTNs as emergency measures with no consultation at the beginning of lockdown in 2020. Some residents have seen a positive benefit, but two-thirds of those living and working in Dulwich who responded to the consultation say they want the current scheme to go. Despite this, Cllr Rose, the Cabinet member for Transport, Parks and Sport, made the decision a few weeks ago to keep the current LTNs, with a few tweaks.
Key messages
The LTNs have not achieved the objectives set by Southwark Council and the impact has been negative. Overall, the scheme displaces traffic on to residential roads with schools and health centres, discriminates against those who are vulnerable, and damages the viability of local shops and businesses. Points to note include:
- Democracy is under threat
Our democratically elected councillors are not listening to the majority view of those who responded to a public consultation.
- Overall air quality has not improved
For residential roads now getting all the extra traffic and pollution, air quality is worse.
- Public transport is worse
Public transport is poor anyway in Dulwich (PTAL ratings between 1 and 3, no step-free access at many local stations), but now the buses we all rely on are delayed because of displaced traffic.
- The health and care needs of elderly and disabled people are being ignored
Medical staff and carers have longer journey times; residents with poor mobility struggle to reach GP, health centre and hospital appointments.
- The vast majority of shops and businesses are against the scheme
Data has been shared with the Council showing the significant negative impact of the closures and restrictions (separated out from the effect of Covid).
- Southwark are abusing the traffic system to extract excessive fines
Signage is unclear and exemptions are insufficient: Southwark has picked up £3m in fines.
- Data produced by Southwark is inconsistent, selective and opaque
There has been inconsistent gathering of data, and selective reporting, to justify keeping the LTNs. The Leader of the Council promised greater clarity on data and methodology in July, but this hasn’t happened.
On the day
The demonstration is timed for 12 noon at the junction and should last about an hour. We have been told by the police that our protest is lawful, and we are putting in place all their requests to ensure safety for all.
Please stay safe and keep the protest peaceful by noting the following:
- There will be appointed marshals in hi-vis vests. Please follow their requests.
- Cycleways and pathways for pedestrians will be marked out and kept clear by the marshals. Access to all the shops and businesses will be maintained. For their own safety, and for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists will be asked to dismount rather than ride through the junction for the duration of the protest.
- Be Covid-aware – keep a reasonable distance from passers-by, staying with your friends/family group.
- If anyone is aggressive towards you, be polite and disengage. If aggression persists, alert one of the marshals.
- Stickers are badges for people – please put on clothing only.
- Printed flyers can be offered to passers-by, but please do not step into the road to hand out to drivers. Please also watch out for any flyers that are dropped and pick them up.
- If there are any complaints about noise (for example, drums), please stress that the protest is expected to finish at 1pm, and politely ask those responsible to be a bit quieter.
- Similarly, please don’t actively encourage cars to sounds their horns – we can’t stop this happening, but we don’t want to promote excessive noise.
- Please help with clearing up any litter at the end of the protest.
- Above all, please be respectful and kind, and look out for those who might need your help and assistance.
Thank you.
Dulwich Alliance