ELECTRIC VEHICLES WILL be allowed to pass through the gates of Hackney’s low traffic neighbourhoods — and to do the both the morning and afternoon school run without hindrance.

The town hall described the move of pressuring motorists to replace their petrol or diesel car or van with an electric vehicle (EV) as “leading the planet to save the planet, a world first”.

The council said it was responding to “claims that LTNs and School Streets [vehicle restrictions outside schools at certain times] have been introduced without proper consultation”.

Critics have have been making much of news reports that congestion and fumes have worsened since LTNs came into effect. Hackney’s timing is good: e-car ownership in London is rising and the council has just met its 2025 target of ensuring all residents are within 500m of an EV charger.

Transport councillor Mete Coban said: “We are turbocharging [sic] Hackney… a key part of our plan to rebuild [sic] a greener Hackney.”

Polly Waffle, of Mayor Philip Glanville’s media team, press-released: “EVolution not REvolution — this is how Hackney is helping citizens step into a green future.” Pressed to expand on that, she admitted that electric transport was an interim stage. “The eventual aim,” she said, “is to get everyone, apart from bus and train-using older people, on foot or on bicycles, although that is a long way off.” Perhaps not so far off: it chimes with Glanville’s priorities list that includes making streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Green Party spokesperson Tyson Mäuse said: “This is a transparent attempt by Labour to change the political agenda for the imminent council elections when what Hackney people want to discuss is transgender rights.”

Sir Hue Mutton of Hackney Conservatives said LTNs were beyond saving and the A10 should be widened. 

Hackney Libdems said the branch would launch a new transport policy “in the near future”.

One irony of Hackney’s e-car boost: councillors will not be able to take advantage of the electric limousine that annually became available on Buggins’ Turn. It was quietly ended after Loving Dalston exposed the perk.

David Altheer 010422

* Backstory: Switch off that car — or risk £80 fine; The carnivore is over: Hackney goes vegan; Council freesheet to cease publication; Hackney quietly ends luxo limo perk; The inaudible council meeting

* Pictures kindly supplied by LBH apart from the pic of the Tesla, which is available for sale via DavidAltheer@gmail.com. This story will be obsolete after noon, as is traditional, on this day of publication.

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