Quieter Streets setback will not deflect from efforts to create a cleaner, greener Redbridge

The withdrawal of the Quieter Streets schemes from Barkingside and Cranbrook is sad news. Some local people were not happy with the implementation of the scheme. The difficulties surrounding consultation and communication, caused by the tight timeframe, no doubt resulted in a failure to take the people with the scheme. The local Labour councillors listened to the complaints and communicated them to the leadership. As a result, the schemes were withdrawn. That's how democracy should work. However, there are some incongruities in this process. The Conservative government are the driving force behind the Quieter Streets schemes. They set the timetable for implementation, so tight that the schemes have to be operational by the end of October. This has made the consultation process difficult, so local residents can feel left out. The Redbridge Conservatves have behaved in a totally opportunistic way, opposing a scheme that actually comes from their own government. Sometimes, you have to pinch yourself to remember that these are Boris Johnson's Conservatives - many seem to dwell in the deniability zone, when it suits. Redbridge Conservatives approach on environmental issues is at best problemmatic. The Party adopts green issues when it is convenient for attacking the Labour administration. Moving forward, I am sure the Labour Council will redouble efforts to deliver on the pledges made in the Climate Emergency motion passed in June 2019. The Climate Panel will soon deliver its report, providing a blueprint for a cleaner, greener Redbridge. There is also a committee working on biodiversity recommendations, taking forward progressive ideas like the grow zones seen in Wanstead The efforts to cut air pollution and reduce emissions via Low Emission Neighbourhoods are a key part of this work. In Wanstead, the consultative process for this work was well underway back in March, when the pandemic struck. The work has now resumed, with some exciting plans coming forward soon. The council has listened to people and they want change. Cleaner air for our children and children's children. Active, non-polluting travel has to be the way forward. More active, healthy citizens will mean less health and environmental costs. It will also mean the population is more ready to face future pandemics. There will be blips on the road to creating a cleaner, greener Redbridge but everyone on the Labour Council is committed to delivering that goal.