It’s being claimed that changes to road layouts, and closures of some residential streets in response to the Covid-19 crisis and changes to travel patterns, are creating a “culture war”.

The Telegraph reports that the initiative is facing growing resistance from local residents across England who believe it has led to increased congestion and pollution. It says hundreds have protested in Islington, Crystal Palace, Oxfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

It says protesters in Islington have staged multiple demonstrations in opposition to the council’s plans to turn one third of its roads into “people friendly streets” by the end of the year, but that the council leader has tweeted the plans are preventing “affluent people polluting working class communities”.

The paper spoke to Eliska Finlay of Crystal Palace, where further demonstrations have been taking place, who said the changes have led to a “culture war” where “People are being singled out and targeted for having cars,” making “people feel like they have to be against the environment.”