Quiet Streets for Tower Hamlets

Salmon Lane

Limehouse, E14 · near Commercial Road

Salmon Lane is a street where people live, and a useful shortcut from Commercial Road. But cars are parked on both sides, so in many places there is only room for one car. Drivers meet face to face, someone has to reverse, and the horns start outside people's windows.

Parked cars leave space for only one car. When two cars meet in the middle, one driver must reverse. Too often, a driver uses the horn instead.

The problem

  • Parked cars leave room for only one car, so drivers get stuck face to face.
  • Someone has to reverse, often a long way, and traffic builds up behind them.
  • Frustrated drivers use their horns at all hours, next to people's homes.

How to fix it

  • Make it one-way. This would make the biggest difference. Drivers would never get stuck face to face, traffic would keep moving, and all the parking could stay.
  • Until then, smaller changes help: a yellow box at the Copenhagen Place junction to keep it clear, and fewer parking spaces in the narrowest places so cars can pass.
  • Enforce the law on horns, so drivers who use the horn in anger get a fine.

Better for drivers too

With a one-way street there is no more getting stuck, no more reversing and no more arguments. Traffic keeps moving, and everyone keeps their parking.

What the law says

You may only use your horn to warn other road users that you are there. It is illegal to use it when your car is not moving. In built-up areas it is also illegal between 11:30pm and 7am. The only exception is when another vehicle is a danger.

Ask the people who can fix it

Tower Hamlets Council decides on parking and one-way streets. Your local councillors and the Mayor can make this change. Your MP can help push for it. One email to all five is the fastest way to be heard.

Email all five at once

This opens your email app with a message already written in English. You can send it as it is. Just add your name and address so they know you live here. We get a copy, so we can see who replies. You can also phone them.

Not sure who your councillors are? Find them on the council website.

Live on Salmon Lane or drive on it? Tell us where cars get stuck and when the horns are worst: hello@quietstreets.uk

Report noisy or dangerous driving to the police: call 101 or go to met.police.uk. Every report helps show where change is needed.