A plea to journalists covering active travel and low traffic neighbourhoods:

I think you're doing a wonderful job. It's important to hold the government to account and make sure real changes reflect the plans and promises made to the people.

But you need to be careful...

Some of those in opposition to active travel and low traffic neighbourhoods are resorting to more and more desperate tactics to stop the schemes.

More than ever you need to verify the claims on both sides before publishing them.

Here are a few examples...

Emergency services are not opposed to Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes.

They have been consulted on every single one that's gone in around the country -- they have to be.

Here's a statement from the London Ambulance Service confirming this: https://twitter.com/Ianbarnes2001/status/1317146628088889344

Some opponents are claiming they're experts when they're not.

One claimed to be a scientist at Imperial College London, but a bit of digging led to the university confirming he doesn't work or study there. https://twitter.com/imperialcollege/status/1317857256864624640?s=20

Some opponents are visiting businesses in their local area, claiming to be from the council, and insisting those businesses display posters against the LTNs https://twitter.com/Jo_Earlsfield/status/1317038747393904642

At the most extreme end, some opponents are sending anonymous death threats to LTN advocates. It's happened to me, and it's happened to people much more important and influential than me too https://twitter.com/jonburkeUK/status/1309475379803979776

Don't get me wrong -- most opponents aren't like this. They have their own concerns about active travel and LTNs and their voices deserve to be heard.

But as a journalist, it's your responsibility to make sure your not giving a platform to those who are manipulating the debate

If you see any other examples of misinformation, threats, or intimidation in relation to low traffic neighbourhood schemes, from any side, please send them to me.

I hope to keep this thread updated with examples (though hopefully, there won't be many more of them)