Northfields Residents Act Against LTN Planter Vandalism
Group reinstate damaged barriers on Midhurst and Leighton Road
One of the planters reinstated by local residents
A group of Northfields residents have taken action after yet more vandalism of barriers placed in their area to enforce Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes (LTNs).
This Saturday night (3 October) a six planters along Midhurst Road and Leighton Road were overturned, leaving large amounts of soil strewn across the road and metal brackets dangerously exposed. Offensive messages had also been scrawled on some of the Road Closed signs.
This is the latest in a series of incidents in which street furniture for the schemes placed by Ealing Council has been attacked.
Organised by a collective of residents called Better Ealing Streets, volunteers came out the following day and returned the planters to their original positions refilling them with soil.
They also reinstated the plants, which some residents had been looking after for several weeks.
The residents’ group, which included children, parents and grandparents, says they followed social distancing guidelines at all times.
Participants in the clean up said that as Midhurst Road is one of the main routes for pupils travelling to Fielding Primary School and Elthorne Park School they were concerned that if they didn’t act, schoolchildren and vulnerable people could be placed at risk.
A spokesperson for Better Ealing Streets, said, “We are very thankful to the local residents who gave up time on Sunday to help tidy up the mess.”
“We appreciate that not all residents are in favour of the LTNs but that does not give a small minority of people the right to vandalise our community.
“Their actions place people in danger and potentially cost Ealing Council, and consequently taxpayers, hundreds if not thousands of pounds in additional costs.”
“We want to call on those causing the damage to reflect on their actions and stop.”
The planters on the morning of Sunday 4 October
The group has committed to replace any upturned planters to help reduce the burden on council workers. They will also continue to maintain the plants for the duration of the trial.
Better Ealing Streets describes itself as a collective of local residents and groups who want to improve Ealing’s streets. The group is committed to giving Ealing’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods a chance, in the belief that they can provide cleaner, greener, quieter and safer streets for all.
Residents can visit the low traffic neighbourhoods' page of the council’s website for further information on the schemes.
Residents can email feedback to TrafficNotices@ealing.gov.uk, or post them to the Highways Service, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, W5 2HL, quoting reference ORD XXX.
An online petition against LTNs in Ealing has been signed by over 9,000 people. A counter petition in support of the new schemes has, at the time of writing, over 700 signatures.
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October 8, 2020
