Readers letters
Cycle lanes have proved beneficial in lockdown
- Credit: Tim Ireland/PA Images
Benefit of People Friendly Streets
Tash H, Islington, full name and address supplied, writes:
As Lockdown 3.0 was announced, one of the first things I noticed was the number of people outdoors going for walks and cycle rides. With gyms shut and lockdown restrictions in place, getting outdoors is the main way many people are getting their exercise. For some people, it is currently their only way of having social contact, by meeting one other person to exercise with.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), part of the council’s People Friendly Streets programme, make this so much easier, with quiet streets allowing more space for walking, cycling and playing, while being socially distanced. It’s never been so important to have access to public space, and getting out and about is much more enjoyable in our Low Traffic Neighbourhoods like Canonbury compared with areas like Barnsbury tha
Ray Emery says some joggers in Raphael Park are not observing social distancing
- Credit: Ken Mears
Joggers ignoring social distancing
Is it safe to mix walkers and joggers together in Raphael Park?
I walk with my wife there and the footpaths are quite narrow, social distancing is possible.
However the joggers do not think social distancing is applicable to them and rush past almost brushing shoulders and exhaling huge plumes of breath over everybody.
They do not obey the 1 metre + rule and are becoming something of a menace to the other park users who for the most part are obeying the rules for public safety.
There is, however, an alternative which is painless and cost free, locally list the whole of the estate. Christchurch Square is locally listed and has some protection and there is, therefore, no reason why all of Spence’s work in Hackney should not be the same.
I would urge everyone concerned about these modern classics to email the mayor of Hackney urging that all of these buildings be given the same protection as the rest of Hackney’s architectural heritage. For further information please contact me on imrankhanlahore@gmx.com.
Thanks and best wishes Jon Burke
Ian Rathbone, chair, Hackney Labour Group of councillors, writes: