Sam and Roberta run Hot Milk neighbourhood cafe in Bounds Green and here Sam explains how their business is adapting. Adapting, not only to the low traffic neighbourhood, but also the need for fewer deliveries. This is a really good example of how businesses can play their part in reducing traffic and so emissions on our roads.

‘Hot Milk is based in Haringey but we have ties with the borough of Enfield Borough through many of our customers. We have been very supportive of the Bowes Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) since the beginning. As a business that receives many deliveries throughout the week, we had to look at the impact of the LTN. One of the first things we did was to investigate how we could get fewer deliveries. We started to consolidate in a number of ways. Firstly, we offered keys to all of our suppliers so that they could deliver during the night.

Our milk supplier was delivering every other day and we switched to a twice-weekly delivery. One less van on the road to us. We gave them keys to come during the night and they are able to put the milk in the fridge for us. They also now deliver all of our other dairy produce. We organised for our egg and smoked salmon delivery to be done by the same delivery company. Whilst they come during the day we have now limited what was a two drop to a single drop off.

Our pastry and bread come during the night – they have keys and are able to leave the pastry on our counter for us. Our dry store is now a fortnightly delivery and much of our fresh produce is coming from the local shops in Bounds Green. We discovered that they were using similar suppliers and we were able to support other local shops whilst providing a service for our customers. This is something that we are constantly working on, we are always trying to reduce the impact of our deliveries. Obviously the fewer deliveries we receive the better.

I also sometimes drive to the cash and carry, but my journeys there are limited and always planned not to be during the busy time on the road. I rarely encounter traffic by not driving at peak times.

Coffee Delivery
We have one coffee delivery per month. We now take 5kg bags which use less packaging than individual 1kg bags. We also run a subscription service and deliver these locally via bicycle. It’s much easier and faster to get around locally.

Passing Trade
Some groups opposing the LTN warned us of passing trade dropping but we would argue otherwise. Our trade is good and we are seeing cyclists, parents with prams, walkers, runners and more coming in every day. The idea that we are losing trade because people can’t drive here is madness. We’re a local heart of the community shop and want to be accessible to everyone.

One of the interesting things about the people we talk to every day is the absolute support that the LTN receives. People who walk here mention being able to walk here on a peaceful street which makes the journey more enjoyable. We’ve spoken to so many people who have offered words of support to the LTN. Not just parents, other businesses too who see the benefit of having fewer cars on the road. We have advised people to write to Enfield Council with their support but often know that with kids etc writing an email when they get home can be forgotten. We are very happy to pass on the many messages of support.

Bus Gate
We fully support the bus gate in Brownlow Road. The idea that people could sit outside drinking coffee and having less traffic while they do is dreamy.

To add, we are very supportive and would be very very saddened to lose the LTN. If anything we need to fight for more of these.’

Sam, Roberta & the Hot Milk Team

Enfield Cycle Campaign and Better Streets for Enfield are running a Try-a-bike session in September as part of the Enfield Climate Festival. Are you new to cycling and want to give it a go? Perhaps you want to try a different type of bike, or find out how much easier it is to ride an electric bike? Do your children want to try a new bike or are new to cycling? There will be lots of different children’s bikes to try. Ever wondered what it is like to ride a delivery cargo bike? Want to see if you can take your kids to school using a ‘tag-a-long’, tandem or a ‘bakfiet’? This is your chance to give it a go. It kicks off at 1100 on 19th September in Hazelwood Recreation Ground and finishes at 1500.

Volunteers needed

Maybe you are already a cyclist and would like to help show people bikes? We need volunteers to help with the event, including:

• Meet and greet people as they arrive and direct them to the relevant section of the tennis courts.
• Helpers to match people up with a bike and get them going. It may be necessary to adjust saddle heights etc.
• Supervisors to stand in the middle of the circuit (everyone cycles round them) and keep an eye out for any issues – mechanical problems, risky behaviour etc.

If you can help with this great initiative to encourage people to cycle please email enfieldcyclingcampaign@gmail.com

Many anti-LTN campaigners claim that a majority (or ‘the many’) support their views. Multiple research surveys show the opposite is true and last week in north London the electorate spoke. Indeed anti-LTN campaign platforms proved disastrous for local candidates. There were four by-elections in Hackney – two prominent anti-LTN & ‘Horrendous Hackney Road Closures’ organisers stood to become Councillors in two of these.
Standing in Hoxton East & Shoreditch: Niall Crowley, endorsed by Lawrence Fox, writer for Spiked online & opinion pieces such as ‘In defence of gentrification’ received just 7.8% of the total votes. In comparison; the Greens received 16% and the Labour winner 53%. Candidate Clair Battaglino, on Twitter as ‘Future Councillor’ and ardent campaigner to remove LTNs received a mere 3.8% of total votes. The Labour candidate elected received 63%.
In neighbouring Islington, anti-LTN candidates also failed spectacularly. In St Peter’s ward by-election, Jody Grabber, with the single policy of removing LTNs and who faces court charges of drug possession & violence next month, came last. Also in Islington, Bunhill ward anti-LTN candidate Martyn Perks came last. In Highbury West ward candidates of the parties promoting LTNs (Labour & Greens) received 73% of vote. Let the people decide!

Are you a new or returning cyclist feeling nervous about riding on Enfield’s roads? Would you like to ride a bit further or make a journey to work or elsewhere that you have not been able to before? Or are you a confident cyclist who would like to help another rider experience the joy and freedom of getting about by bike? Enfield Cycling Campaign has joined the Cycle Buddies scheme, pairing up experienced and novice riders to provide support and share expertise. If you, or anyone you know (experienced or novice), is interested in signing up, CLICK HERE for the form to complete.

You can read all about Cycle Buddies and the experience of people who have buddied already on the London Cycling Campaign website HERE .

Since Enfield’s first low traffic neighbourhood went in we have been following the air quality monitoring station at Bowes school. Some people were concerned that air quality would deteriorate due to more traffic on the A406 – this was a worry as the monitoring station is in the school grounds. We were confident this wouldn’t happen, but it seemed sensible to wait for the trial to progress before drawing any conclusions. However, in the recent opposition report, there was some ‘cherry-picked’ data to show that the LTNs had caused air pollution to go up. ‘Cherry-picked’ data because air pollution always goes up in the winter for various reasons* – so a month by month comparison isn’t particularly useful or valid.