2 Wheels GOOD, Blue Badge Holders EVIL?

  • By Brian Leveson
  • 01 Jan, 2023

Is the argument for and against exemptions for disabled people in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods really a case of GOOD versus EVIL?

How on EARTH has this become a GOOD versus EVIL argument?

Many proponents of the wide area road closures know as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are trying to turn it into a good versus evil argument. Even in our own borough here in Haringey, opponents of the road closures have been described as 'very right wing' non-Labour voters who are homophobic, Islamophobic, sexist, racist and xenophobic. (I observe not Antisemitic though ... just an interesting absence from that list in a Borough than faces an now annual Councillor related Antisemitism scandal. Well for the last 4 or 5 years anyway. But 2023 is a New Year - one day down (almost, there is still time), and no Antisemitism scandal, yet...).

What is the 'common good'?

The intentional impacts of Lower Traffic Neighbourhoods disproportionately impact on disabled people and people with long standing health issues - I fail to understand how inflicting more cost, pain and suffering on disabled people is for the common good.
  • Increased travel costs for people on limited or fixed incomes in the middle of a cost of living crisis - where is the common good
  • Further limiting travel options for people who were already unable to access the majority of public transport - where is the common good in that?
  • Increasing journey times for people who suffer physical or psychological distress - how is that good?
  • Overly burdensome exemptions policy were people have to get permission to travel for every single trip - how is that healthy for anyone?

Disabled people are not 'bad people'. Disabled people are not privileged 'haves' to have help with travel. Disabled people are not Zombies waiting for a food delivery

Blue Badges are not given out like sweets! They are applied for and awarded to people who prove that they can’t walk more than 50 metres or are registered blind (severely sight impaired) or receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or a veteran certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking or ‘planning and following journeys’ activity / unable to undertake any journey causes you overwhelming psychological distress

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge

How the HELL has is come to this ...

If you are sickened by this treatment of disabled people and think disabled people should not be prisoners in their own homes or just dislike LTNs join the protest next Saturday..

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