The Board of Deputies’ president has written to the Mayor of Hackney, urging the council to reconsider plans to close roads in Stamford Hill to pedestrianise areas during parts of the school day.

In her letter, Marie van der Zyl explained to the Mayor, Philip Glanville, that while sympathising with the aims of the scheme to create safer streets for children and improve air quality, there were “numerous concerns” about the proposals.

These included “negative impacts on equality for older and disabled residents, as well as access for Hatzola emergency vehicles; school transport for local residents; access to places of worship, particularly for elderly or disabled residents; and local journey times.

The plans were “a recipe for chaos”.

Local councillor Simche Steinberger told the JC that road closures already implemented in the borough were having an adverse impact.

“Wherever they’ve done it, the cars are not moving, the roads are polluted — it doesn’t make any sense,” he maintained.

In a statement, the Interlink Foundation - the umbrella organisation for Jewish organisations - noted: "Given the impact these proposals will have on people's daily lives, the strength and breadth of opposition is hardly surprising.  As well as [on] local residents, the plans will have a severe impact on schools, synagogues, shops and businesses. Interlink Foundation will continue to support  local efforts to achieve a resolution."