Traders will see red over Boris road plans (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Traders will see red over Boris road plans

July 31, 2008 11:12 AM

Councillor Greg Foxsmith

Traders along the Holloway Road and Upper Street A1 red route could be seeing red if plans by London Mayor Boris Johnson get the green light.

Red routes are commuter roads where stopping for loading and unloading is prohibited. Transport for London, run by the Mayor, wants to extend the red route's operating hours from 7am-7pm (Mondays to Saturdays) to seven days a week.

TfL didn't consult traders and has now put the plan on hold following Council objections.

Islington's Liberal Democrat council has objected to the plans on the grounds that:

shopkeepers will lose precious passing trade on Sundays.
many residents and traders will be away in August so will be unable to take part in the consultation exercise.
bus reliability on Arsenal match days Arsenal will be unaffected by the proposals.

Councillor Greg Foxsmith, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for the Environment, said:

"This latest wheeze from Boris is just crackers. It's like a red rag to a bull for local businesses along the A1.

"While Boris promises to make life in Kensington & Chelsea easier by pulling back the congestion charge zone, here in Islington he wants to make life even harder.

"The Mayor should listen to Islington shopkeepers and put a halt to this madcap scheme. If he won't listen, then Islington residents and traders should show him the red card."