The Jewish Community Council (JCC), which represents members of the Orthodox Charedi community, claim that Hackney Council’s green policies are “upending” Stamford Hill people’s lives.
The group said that since the introduction of the Mount Pleasant LTN around Harrington Hill, there had been an increase in traffic delays.
They also criticised a bus lane introduced by Transport for London (TfL) on the A10 at Stamford Hill.
Levi Schapiro, speaking on behalf of members, said that Charedi families were acutely impacted by low traffic measures due to their size and “traditional way of life”.
“For the majority of families in our community, owning a car is not a luxury—it’s an essential,” he explained.
“Cars are vital for transporting children to and from school, attending Shul, and going to work.
“It’s not realistic to suggest parents take seven children to school on a bike. Most cars in our area are practical, seven-seater vehicles to accommodate large families.”
He added that while the JCC “respects” the council’s green policy initiatives, he was concerned these were being introduced at the expense of the local economy as well as making children late for school.
Other restrictions impacting families were new school streets in the area, which typically restrict traffic outside schools at drop-up and pick-up times.
The group has now formed the Hackney-based ‘Stamford Hill Traffic Action Plan’, a taskforce that hopes to discuss “sensible solutions to this crisis” with Hackney Council and TfL.
A Hackney spokesperson has confirmed the council met with JCC last week, and said that it would take on board its views to develop the borough’s transport strategy for the next decade.
They added: “Journeys made by car within the borough are decreasing and the majority of households in the Stamford Hill area do not own a car.
“As part of our previous engagement with the Charedi community, we introduced exemptions for registered Hatzola, Shomrim and private school mini-buses in Stamford Hill from school street restrictions.
“All low traffic schemes in Hackney are developed in consultation with local residents to understand and mitigate any impact.”
A TfL spokesperson said that the location of the A10 bus lane was “carefully chosen” after analysis showed poor bus journey time performance in the area.
They added: “We’re constantly engaging with local communities to ensure our schemes are inclusive and equitable, and recently met with representatives from the Charedi community, alongside Hackney Council, to hear their concerns.”
