Plans to close Clerkenwell Road and Old Street to cars have been criticised for benefitting “richer than average people”.
Melville Residents Association’s spokesperson, James Murphy, claimed pollution would be “relocated to other streets” away from wealthy residents in Old Street’s skyscrapers.
Buses would not be affected by the closure, but it is unclear whether other forms of public transport will have full access.
Islington Council’s ongoing transport strategy aims to improve air quality by pedestrianising the roads.
Mr Murphy called the traffic prevention measure “elitist” and questioned “where the radical progressive socialism” of the Labour-led council was.
He further questioned the necessity of the through closure, after a City Hall report estimated that Ultra Low Emission Zone charging has led to a 36 percent reduction in pollution in the zone.
However the need for the through closure was supported by Islington’s Green Party candidate, Talia Hussain.
She said that “while temporary traffic may be caused in other areas, there should be an overall reduction in the borough.”
In response to Murphy’s comments, she said: “Although there’s a lot of inequality in Islington, there isn’t as much of a divide as areas like Kensington and Chelsea.
“So everyone will experience the same problems regardless of where traffic is redirected.”
Islington Council did not respond to request for comment.
