Hello Everyone
There have recently been some articles in the papers about about Low
Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) as the Government has released £175
million of new funding for LTNs.
We would ask you to consider that we in the Ecco area apply to the
council for us to become an LTN in order to stop our area being used as
a rat run for people in cars to get from Endcliffe Vale Road down to
Hunter's Bar more quickly, and back in the other direction. Cars often
drive very quickly, and when they meet a vehicle travelling in the
opposite direction, they drive on the pavements and grass verges to get
past rather than waiting or backing up. This is obviously dangerous to
pedestrians. Driver frustration can also lead to displays of anger. I
personally witnessed a car hooting loudly when I tried to cross the road
from my house, and then the driver jumped out of the car to threaten me,
despite having his wife and children in the car.
There would be a number of clear benefits to our becoming an LTN:
* A reduction in the volume of traffic travelling through all roads
in our area
* a reduction of incidents where drivers use pavements and grass
verges to pass other vehicles
* a reduction of incidents where impatient drivers display anger and
road rage
* a reduction in air pollution in our area caused by exhaust fumes
* Increased safety for children and other pedestrians
The simplest way to cut down on the amount of traffic on our roads if we
were to become an LTN, would be to block off Endcliffe Glen Road, either
at the top, or at the bottom at the junction with Everton Road. This
would mean that traffic could no longer use our roads as a rat run. We
are aware that some of you are concerned that this would mean that
residents in our area would have to drive round via Brocco Bank and
Endcliffe Vale Road, thus adding a minute or two onto the travel time in
a car. However, research in areas that have already become LTNs, for
example in London, has found that those who opposed the changes to their
areas have changed their views once they have seen the overall benefits
as listed above
We would be grateful if you could consider this proposal; you may have
other suggestions about how we could implement a scheme for us to become
an LTN. If enough of us are in favour then we could approach the Council
to take this opportunity of improving the environment that we live in
and hopefully improving people's health.
Many thanks
Fred Butlin and Sue Peace
24 Endcliffe Glen Road
