MP's Survey Shows Majority Local Opposition to CANs
Over 2,500 responses from people in South Fulham wards
Congestion at the junction of Hurlingham Road and New Kings Road
July 24, 2023
Greg Hands MP has released what he describes as the interim results of his South Fulham Traffic Survey.
He says he was prompted to launch the poll by the number of residents and businesses in his constituency contacting him about the Clear Air Neighbourhood (CAN) restrictions introduced by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
Around 2,500 responses to the survey have so far been received from Parsons Green & Sandford, Palace and Hurlingham, Sands End, Fulham Town and Walham Green wards over the last couple of months.
Most of the responses were returned in Parsons Green & Sandford, Palace & Hurlingham and Sands End wards where the two schemes are currently live.
Over half had a negative view about the operation of the scheme to the East and West of Wandsworth Bridge Road with around 1,300 saying they had had issues when receiving visitors and 164 experiencing problems with visits from carers. Around a third of people who responded were in favour of the scheme.
Commenting, Greg Hands said, “I will be rolling out my survey across the whole of my constituency. I am keen to hear from all residents, local businesses, and services as the more views I have, the better informed I will be. So, if you have not already, please do take two minutes to fill out my survey!’’
Commenting, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Councillor and Conservative Spokesman for the Environment, Jose Afonso, said, “H&F Labour have a track record of doing things to residents, rather than with them.
“We will keep working closely with Greg Hands MP to ensure the SW6 Traffic Schemes are properly consulted on.”
This Monday (24 July) saw a ‘Can the CAN’ demonstration being held on the closed section of Wandsworth Bridge with residents and businesses demanding that the scheme be scrapped.
A new business association called the South Fulham Business Association which is a collaboration between the Wandsworth Bridge Road Business Hub and the New Kings Road Business Association. This is in reponse to the Wandsworth Bridge Road Association support for the CAN. The new association claims to represent over 50 local independent businesses who have seen a reduction in revenues since the CAN was introduced. With the closure of Wandsworth Bridge expected to further impact revenues, it is calling for a suspension of the CAN until the bridge is reopened.
When asked about Greg Hand’s poll, a H&F Council spokesperson said, "It would be inappropriate for us to comment on a political poll clearly organised to gather voter data by the current MP for Chelsea and Fulham."
A number of recent academic studies have shown overall support for Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and Clean Air Zones across broader areas of London and the country.
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