A case of institutional racism? Why I am asking for the TFL consultation on the Hackney to Canary Wharf cycle route to be run again.

Transport for London (TFL) are carrying out a consultation on a cycle route, which effects all of the social housing estates in Mile End Ward, proposing a reduction of amenities to those estates, such as parking spaces and access by cars. The consultation is being carried out in the middle of Ramadan, therefore considerably reducing the chances of those residents from those estates, a large portion being Muslims, to give their views about the proposed changes.

Below is a summary of the proposed changes as a summary of my correspondence to Assembly Member Unmesh Desai, Mayor John Biggs and Transport for London, asking them to get TFL to run the consultation outside of Ramadan, and also asking it to be investigated as a racist incident.

Equitable Access for All Residents

For Democracy to be effective there needs to be equitable access to all, not just to voting but also in all the democratic processes, including the common law duty for public bodies to consult. The statutory duty of equity is different from equal, in the sense the Parliament asks for bodies and persons of authority to recognize differences and to accommodate those differences amongst members of the public. For example, thats why owners of buildings are obliged to provide disability access to buildings.

For any consultation for public bodies to be effective in Tower Hamlets they need to take account of the historic and large muslim population, one of the oldest and largest in Western Europe. Therefore by deliberately putting the consultation in the middle of the month of Ramadan, an artificial barrier is put in place to prevent Muslim residents and organisations that cater towards the need of Mulsim residents from fully participating.

Brief Summary of Proposed Changes to public amenities by the proposed cycle route by TFL

Transport for London are proposing to close off access to roads, removing parking bays from roads servicing some of the poorest housing estates in Tower Hamlets and the United Kingdom, in order to service a Cycle Route from Hackney to Canary Wharf.

Proposed Changes to Burdett Road Junction

Proposed Changes to access to the Eric and Treby Estate

Proposed Changes to access to the Bede Estate/Leopold Estate

Proposed changes to access to the Leopold Estate/Locksley Estate

Proposed Changes to access to the Locklsley/Burdett Estate

Proposed changes to access to the Farrance and West Lansbury Estate

Consultation needs to be rerun again, and there needs to be an investigation into this alleged racist incident

I have written to Transport for London, Unmesh Desai and Mayor John Biggs, asking for the consultation to be run again, outside of Ramadan, so that all residents can exercise their democratic right and and fully participate in the democratic process of public consultation.

I have also asked for there to be an investigation, and the matter be treated as a racist incident, so lessons can be learned and not be repeated again.