Tory leader: 'Every single LTN in Enfield will be ripped out'

Such a shame the photo didn’t catch the Fox Lane bridge vegetable peel dumper in action. That would have formed a constructive intervention.

I've had Tory leaflets through the letter box that say much the same thing. I don't agree with the idea, because it's on the wrong side of history, but I despise even more the lack of any reasoning, evidence or facts stated for wanting to do this, any consideration of the impacts and consequences, the cost, public opinion or what he / they might do to aspire towards the sort of benefits that LTNs do. It's just moronic, stupid politics. Grow up.

I found myself reflecting on Richard Crutchley’s post when reading two articles from different ends of the political press this weekend. First was Norman Foster, (they indicate “the”) world leading architect, in a major Daily Telegraph interview. He argues for the green belt’s extension, not from a typical environmental base, but rather to avoid urban sprawl, so generating compact cities, which help erode loneliness (neighbourhoods), a known killer, and which encourage walking rather than driving, which is healthier and so you live longer. I imagine an architect of such pedigree knows his planning arguments. The second was a Guardian Journal article by Professor Devi Sridhar, chair of Public Health at Edinburgh University, a face frequently on TV during Covid. Addressing the UK’s now (shocking) declining life expectancy she outlined personal efforts to lengthen her own – exercising, eating healthy, nothing surprising – but argues this is secondary to a societal approach to health, something which is our collective responsibility and something politicians should be prioritising. From a very short list, which also included nutritious food, safe water and preventative health provision, she homed in on clean air policies and active cities – ie legs not cars.  Opposite spectrum political press, two very different specialisms, two world class proponents, same conclusion.  The hard data and resulting elected London Mayoral policy conclusions have pointed the same way across all political persuasions.

A typical Tory.
Oppose for the sake of opposing, regardless of the benefits.