Fears of car fines and of isolation for Dulwich pensioners..

By Toby Porter

If you could read their minds, you would back away slowly. Pensioners are not the sort of people you want to cross.

They might have a reputation for being reasonable – but you can only push them so far.

A collection of senior citizens held a show of strength on Saturday – though there was no actual muscle work involved.

Age Speaks, a newly formed Dulwich group of nearly 100 older people, demonstrated against the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Dulwich.

They were protesting against the LTN introduced to Dulwich in June 2020 with road closures and timed restrictions.

A statement from the group said: “For over a year these have caused great difficulties for many residents, especially vulnerable, disabled and older people.

“Those living on boundary roads have suffered increased traffic, congestion and pollution. The traffic jams caused by the road closures and restrictions are making journeys take up to an hour longer.

“This is particularly hard on older people, many of whom suffer from poor mobility and rely on their cars to get to their GP, health centre and hospital appointments, and to visit other people.”

Pensioners say they are getting fewer visits from friends and relatives, and the group claims some now no longer like to  leave their homes for fear of getting stuck in traffic and incurring fines.

This has led to increased social isolation, despondency and their fears for the future if the LTNs continue, the group said.

Those dependent on social care and family support say their carers find it difficult to get to them on time and some carers are no longer willing to work in Dulwich because of the excessive timed restrictions and fines.

Members of Age Speaks believe their concerns are being ignored by Southwark council, with their views and needs drowned out by pro-closure lobby groups the council is listening to.

Age Speaks says it has no confidence in the council’s consultation which it believes is deeply flawed.

They say town hall chiefs are failing to meet their Public Sector Equality Duty by neglecting the needs of older people and those with disabilities.

The demonstration aimed to make sure the council and other residents understand the LTNs cause older people.

The statement added: “Age is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and the council has a duty to protect older people from unfair disadvantage.”

The group has written to the council both individually and as a group – but says they have been ignored.

They said: “We feel we have no choice but to hold a demonstration now, as the council is making a decision on the road schemes in September and, so far, has paid very little attention to the needs of older people.”

Susan Skidmore, a spokeswoman for Age Speaks, said: “These LTNs are inflicting great difficulties on older people. It has become difficult for them to attend their GP and hospital appointments.

“Even taxi drivers refuse to come during the restrictions, which last at least five hours a day – and some are 24/7.

“It is a nightmare for so many older people. The schemes are being reviewed this month, so it is vital that our voices are heard, we are listened to and the council acts.”

The council were unable to provide a comment at the time of going to press.