Throughout the call-in, we presented strong evidence and voices from the community, which the Council and Panel chose to overlook. In the special meeting, the council admitted that their design aimed to prioritise pedestrian use, sidelining essential safety considerations for cyclists (demonstrated in Figures 1 and 2 below). This decision is not just frustrating, it is a dangerous step backwards for a borough that claims to champion “Vision Zero” for road deaths and safe streets, where people walking, wheeling, cycling and other road users could all be better protected together. 

While the result is a setback, we are proud that our call-in led to a platform where residents had the opportunity to express legitimate concerns, backed by data that sustained their views. However, the simple request to refer the decision back to Cabinet or Full Council, then asking Active Travel England to assess the current plans independently was denied.

We pushed for the appropriate time at the meeting to be given to an Independent Traffic Engineer, as well as for those who invested time contributing to the Call-In, including a representative of the Hackney Cycling Campaign, and a local resident, Claudia, who experienced and shared her harrowing experience at Pembury Circus.

We are pleased that our call-in brought about greater scrutiny and transparency on the decision-making processes and timelines from the Council. We learnt that there will be a further statutory consultation where all residents will be able to make representations, and we hope this consultation goes further to engage and incorporate safety concerns like those presented by the Independent Traffic Engineer, HCC, Claudia and other residents in their design plans. We remain committed to holding Hackney Council accountable and ensuring public funds are used to safeguard, not sideline, the interests and safety of all residents. 

We are proud to be part of a national movement of Green Party and Socialist Independent Councillors dedicated to scrutinising and challenging majority Labour administrations, who claim to lead progressively. Across the country, we have been standing together to ensure that councils genuinely listen to and engage with the voices of their communities.

This Council design decision may stand for now, but so will our resolve to push for a Hackney that listens to, respects, and prioritises the safety of all residents, over a Council that too often seems entrenched in its own agenda.

The Junction Assessment Tool (JAT) enables designers to assess how well a junction provides for cycling.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Hackney Greens                          

Cllr Zoë Garbett                                         

Cllr Liam Davis   

Hackney Independent Socialist Group

Cllr Claudia Turbet-Delof

Cllr Penny Wrout

Cllr Fliss Premru