‘Plans to reduce the total vehicle movements in the borough must be made and implemented’

• I HAVE been puzzling over the report of the Camden Council debate on a 20mph speed limit in Finchley Road, (Town Hall backs 20 mph plan for ‘red routes’, January 26).

The Conservatives accused the Labour group of having an “anti-car ideology”, and the Labour chief whip described this as a “bizarre accusation”.

But if Camden Council does not have the aim of reducing car traffic in and through the borough, what is the point of all its traffic initiatives?

If the total volume of traffic remains the same, LTN, low traffic neighbour­hoods, and smaller closures such as that between Constantine and Savernake roads below Hampstead Heath, only have the effect of shifting traffic from one place to another; usually from already relatively favoured roads to those that already suffer from more traffic, and usually onto bus routes.

To improve the traffic situation for all residents, rather than a lucky few, plans to reduce the total vehicle movements in the borough must be made and implemented; and the only component that can be reduced within a reasonable planning horizon is private motor traffic.

Overall the stick of restrictions and the carrot of faster and more reliable public transport must be used together with the specific aim of cutting motor traffic.

In the case of Finchley Road necessary measures may be unpopular in the northern suburbs and dormitory towns, and Camden’s leaders need to get the mayor, the London Assembly and Transport for London on board.

JOHN WILSON
Agincourt Road, NW3