‘Negative’ red signs replaced on low-traffic streets

THE battle over low-traffic neighbourhoods has shifted to street signs, it has emerged, as those in favour of making some roads car-free are installing green signs that indicate the street is: “Open to pedestrians, people on scooters or in wheelchairs, and cyclists.”

Sarah Berry, who runs the Twitter account of Lambeth Living Streets, drew up the graphic because she felt the official red “road closed” sign had negative connotations.

It has now been fitted to planters blocking off roads in places including Glasgow, Poole, London, Nottingham and Cambridge.

“I never imagined when I whipped the sign together that councils would be installing them,” Ms Berry, a 28-year-old charity worker, said. “I wanted signs that spoke to other road users and drivers.”

However, those against the so-called green transport revolution have said the scheme hinders emergency service vehicles. A graphic designer from north London has adapted Ms Berry’s road sign to say: “Closed to police cars, ambulances and fire engines.” He created the imitation sign after spotting an ambulance being forced to do a U-turn when it encountered planters fitted by Enfield Council.

The man, who did not want to be named, said: “The way these low-traffic neighbourhoods and road closures have been implemented means it can be harder for emergency vehicles to access residential areas. We have seen instances across London of fire engines getting stuck trying to get past planters, as well as ambulances turning round and being forced to take longer routes.

“Police cars have been unable to chase suspects on mopeds and scooters, who have an easy escape route through the narrow road filters.”