Delivery drivers to be banned from loitering in Upper Street side roads after complaints from neighbours
Delivery drivers lotering in Hampton Court. - Credit: Archant
Delivery drivers will be banned from loitering in roads off Upper Street after neighbours said constant anti-social behaviour was making their lives hell.
Mopeds are often left in the road, neighbours say. - Credit: Archant
People in Swan Yard and Hampton Court near Highbury Corner say moped drivers waiting to pick up food deliveries hang around outside their homes “from morning until midnight”, and on Sunday police were called to break up a brawl.
The streets were outlawed to through traffic in 2015, but the road blocks aren’t enough to stop those on two wheels and the council, along with Deliveroo and UberEats, has promised to act.
The town hall this week announced it would fast-track double-yellow lines in an effort to stop the roads being used as a waiting area. And they can’t come soon enough for some.
“We have a menacing mafia controlling our streets,” one homeowner, who asked not to be named, told the Gazette. “We often see six to ten motorbikes parked on Hampton Court by McDonald’s or on Swan Yard in front of people’s homes. The drivers perch themselves in front of doors and scream at the top of their voices because they have helmets on.
A brawl in Hampton Court on Sunday. - Credit: Archant
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“They intimidate passers-by, block the passage and cyclists and leave litter behind.”
Another neighbour said: “The streets are a disgrace because of these drivers and they do not care one bit about the people who have to live here.”
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Deliveroo and UberEats said they were working with Islington Council to resolve the issues.
A Deliveroo spokesman said the firm wanted to ensure riders had the highest standards and had held a “RooCafe” to discuss new community guidelines.
“We have taken a number of steps to address issues raised and are keen to promote the good work our riders do to support local businesses and help local residents,” a spokesman said.
Uber Eats said anyone found acting in an antisocial way risked a ban. A spokesman said: “We take feedback like this very seriously and will take action in response to any information we receive about a courier’s anti-social behaviour. We’ve already been in touch with the couriers in the area to share the concerns raised to us.”
Islington’s community safety chief Cllr Andy Hull understands the concerns and would be happy to meet the neighbours. He said: “We are working actively to try to resolve the issue. “
