Islington Council’s recently announced budget will spend £1 million to create the first “liveable neighbourhood” in the borough – a plan they want to replicate all over Islington in the coming years.
By Nikos Papanikolaou
A living neighbourhood is a place which supports living, working, commerce and culture within its area, and also encourages sustainable transport within and around it.
“I think it’s great news. London’s air is polluted, and something needs to be done. I’m happy to see Islington Council doing things towards this direction,” said Olivia Roberts, 18, an art student.
The council’s draft budget includes £1.5 million for a new sub-station and high voltage National Grid connection which would provide enough power to enable the council’s 230-vehicle to go electric.
The council will also invest £5m in creating Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) compliant models, as they will try to reduce a significant number of vehicles by turning them to electric. The “liveable neighbourhood” will be created in the Mildmay and Highbury East area, with work due to begin later this year.
“I don’t believe anything until I see it. They promised things in the past, but they didn’t do anything. It will be good if they will do it. Islington needs more space for bikes and joggers. But I doubt they will do it,” said Raheem Gray, 28, a Deliveroo driver.
The money hasn’t come from the Mayor of London’s Liveable Neighbourhood scheme, although Islington has put bids in for funding to transform areas.
Islington council wants to create something more than a low-traffic neighbourhood, as the plan is to create communities where people can walk and cycle smoother, and where the air quality will also be improved.
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