'Waterloop' chaos must end, demand Lambeth Lib Dems and residents

The Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO) implemented by Lambeth Council in April 2022 has created the ‘Waterloop’ which forces HGV’s and delivery trucks 24 hours a day, past the local children’s playground: https://vimeo.com/864916084?share=copy 

Lambeth Liberal Democrats, who are supporting the residents’ campaign, have asked the Council to deploy “a simple solution”.  

The Lib Dems want a ‘Local Access Only’ traffic filter at the junction of The Cut and Waterloo Road, and for the right turn from Bayliss Road into Waterloo Road to be reestablished.  

Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Lambeth Liberal Democrats, wrote to the Council after meeting with local residents in August but has yet to receive a reply. 

https://www.lambethlibdems.org.uk/fileadmin/groups/122/Documents/letter.pdf 

Police have been called out to help HGVs which have become stuck in the narrow residential streets, whilst ambulances have been called to attend to injured cyclists. The Liberal Democrats say that taxpayers’ money and police resources are being wasted needlessly, and that there are clear grounds to reconsider the plans.  

One local resident wrote to Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, to complain about the environmental damage and risks to residents. They provided video evidence shot in just one hour lunch break: https://vimeo.com/848125494 

Chris French, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Lambeth and Southwark London Assembly Constituency, said:  

“We and residents have been ignored. It is the people who live on these roads who are affected most by this proposal, but most of the responses to the consultation appear to come from people who commute or pass through the area. We absolutely support traffic calming measures, but the proposal as given will aggravate the ongoing problem.” 

Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Official Liberal Democrat Opposition on Lambeth Council, said:  

“The lack of empathy and communication are appalling. We have been asking Lambeth Council to undertake an onsite visit with local residents for months, but they’re not prepared to engage. They’ve ignored our pleas and are pushing ahead with these misery-inducing plans anyway. 

“It beggars belief that, 10 years on from Ella Kissi-Debrah’s death, HGV’s and delivery trucks would knowingly be redirected off a B-road thorough a residential area, directly past a children’s playground.” https://vimeo.com/836864014