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How this might affect you
Whether you cycle, walk or drive, we are all going to be affected by these schemes.
Here are just a few examples of the scenarios that have been evidenced already multiple times.
If you need the Emergency Services
The Emergency Services face the most difficult challenges with these new road layouts.
We have already seen ambulances, police cars and fire engines getting stuck because vehicles can not move over into the cycle lane due to the new “wands”.
We have also seen emergency vehicles unable to get through roads which are now blocked off by immovable barriers.
Many are having to do u-turns in narrow streets with huge vehicles. We have already submitted a Freedom Of Information request (FOI) to St George’s Hospital to see their response times before and after implementation.
Police have been posting about the challenges on Twitter and have also spoken privately about their concerns. They are concerned that the blocked roads may make crime worse because they will not be able to chase anyone fleeing on bicycles or mopeds.
If you rely on the emergency services, as we all are likely to do at some point, you might face a delayed response which could be a question of life and death.
You may also find that you feel less safe in roads that have much fewer cars and where police might not able to reach you as quickly.
If you need a Tradesman
Tradesmen rely on their vehicles to carry equipment and to go to client's sites all over London.
Often, they will visit multiple clients every day both in and out of Wandsworth.
They will now have to either work longer hours each day to get their work done or charge their clients more to compensate for the time wasted on longer journeys.
A call-out charge that is currently £70 could easily rise to £90 or, if they can’t see so many people, you may have to wait longer for them.
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If you are a Working Parent
If you are a working parent you will already be juggling a busy job around childcare and school.
You will may have relied on a vehicle to quickly drop your child at school before dashing to work, to get your hours done quickly to then dash and collect on your way home.
Solo parents in particular are less likely to have back-up support and may end up having to work fewer hours if they can’t complete efficient journeys, or pay for more childcare.
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If You need care
Carers are reporting that they cannot reach as many patients in a day because their journeys are now much longer.
This means that if you require a care visit, you may be left longer or even told that no one can attend.
As well as personal care, carers often give timed medication to the vulnerable. Longer journey times means medication may not be given on time.
In addition, if you wear a red button alert system, these companies are reporting that they may no longer be able to guarantee a swift response in an emergency.
If you are a business or restaurant
Parking along the high street (for disabled, shoppers and deliveries) has been taken away to allow for cycle lanes.
Suppliers cannot park to load or unload vehicles and some are now refusing to deliver.
Tooting has always been a magnet for people from all over the Greater London area and out to surrounding counties. People love the authentic Asian products and restaurants, but footfall has already dropped dramatically as people now don’t want to travel to the area because of the traffic.
If you use local shops you can no longer quickly pop in as you drive home and it is an additional challenge for those that have a disability.
If we do not overturn these restrictions, our once-vibrant business community (which is already struggling with the effects of covid) will quickly see our shops and restaurants closing.
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If you use Council ServiceS
With so many roads closed, refuse drivers and road workers will have many challenges.
Narrow roads that are blocked either in the middle or at one end means that large vehicles will have to reverse out or perform difficult 3-point turns.This will take up a lot of extra time and delay their rounds.
Council workers may not be able to visit as many households a day which means either the council will have to hire more workers (which will increase council tax) or they may have to reduce services.
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if you use taxis or need a lift
Every journey will be longer and will require more fuel.
Many taxi drivers have already been hit hard by Covid and now they face working longer hours for the same money, or have a lower income due to fewer journeys completed.
If you use one of these services, be aware that many drivers are already saying that they no longer want to work around the Wandsworth area as the traffic is too difficult.
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