Ted Maxwell Urges School Streets Amid Tower Hamlets Child Road Injuries

Key Points

• Since 2019, the number of children seriously injured on roads in Tower Hamlets has increased, with most casualties occurring near schools, as outlined in the council’s Road Safety Plan.
• Ted Maxwell, father of four school-age children and independent councillor candidate for May elections, advocates for more School Streets to enhance street safety.
• Maxwell presented a petition to the council in November calling for investment in School Streets, highlighting their low cost and proven benefits for children’s health, wellbeing, safer active travel, and improved air quality.
• No new School Streets introduced by Lutfur Rahman’s administration since 2022; instead, one has been removed.
• Council plans to spend £2.5 million removing safer streets schemes, including trees, benches, bike lanes, and restrictions around five schools in Bethnal Green.
• Council’s reply to Maxwell’s petition on January 8 dismissed expansion, citing 33 School Streets rolled out since 2019 (from previous administration), suitability issues, alternative improvements like cycle training, and funding constraints.
• Maxwell criticises council’s priorities, arguing £2.5 million could fund School Streets at all 66 schools lacking them, with potential full funding from TfL if proposed properly.
• Maxwell questions the administration’s commitment to road safety around schools after three and a half years of inaction.

Tower Hamlets (Tower Hamlets Independent) January 17, 2026 – Ted Maxwell, an independent candidate for councillor, has criticised Tower Hamlets Council for failing to expand School Streets amid rising child road injuries near schools. As a father of four school-age children, Maxwell calls the schemes an ‘easy win’ for safety, health, and air quality, but labels the council’s response to his petition as underwhelming excuses.

Why has the number of child road injuries risen in Tower Hamlets?

Since 2019, serious injuries to children on Tower Hamlets roads have increased, with most incidents happening near schools, according to the council’s own Road Safety Plan. Ted Maxwell highlights this trend as a key concern driving his independent candidacy in the May elections. He expresses frustration that streets remain unsafe for children travelling to school.

Maxwell, speaking as reported in his statement on the Tower Hamlets Independent platform, states:

“As a father of four school-age kids, I want our streets to be as safe as possible to travel around.”

This personal stake underscores his push for immediate action on proven safety measures.

The council’s Road Safety Plan confirms the upward trajectory in casualties, placing the onus on local authorities to respond decisively.

What are School Streets and why does Maxwell call them an ‘easy win’?

School Streets are schemes that restrict motor vehicle access near schools during drop-off and pick-up times, promoting walking, cycling, and scooting. Maxwell presented a petition to the council in November, urging investment in more such initiatives. He describes them as

“cheap and proven to improve the health and wellbeing of children for the long term.”

As detailed in Maxwell’s original statement, School Streets

“make it safer and easier for children to get to school on foot, bike or scooter, and improve air quality.”

Evidence from existing implementations supports these claims, showing reduced accidents and better environmental conditions around participating schools.

Maxwell questions the council’s inaction since 2022, asking:

“I asked the council how it could claim to champion young people when it had introduced no new School Streets since the administration started in 2022?”

How did the council respond to Maxwell’s petition?

The council replied to Maxwell’s petition on January 8, a response Maxwell deems “extremely underwhelming and makes poor excuses for inaction.” It notes the roll-out of 33 School Streets “since 2019,” but Maxwell clarifies these were delivered by the previous administration, while Lutfur Rahman’s team has added none and even removed one.

The reply suggests School Streets “don’t work for everyone,” proposes alternatives like cycle training, and cites funding constraints for expansion. It claims the council

“continue(s) to seek opportunities to secure external funding, collaborate with schools and communities, and deliver targeted improvements where they are most needed.”

Maxwell counters that no concrete action appears on these alternatives, with the response lacking commitment.

Why is the council planning to spend £2.5 million on removing safer streets?

Instead of expanding School Streets, the council plans to allocate £2.5 million to “destroy safer streets schemes around five schools in Bethnal Green.” This includes removing trees, benches, bike lanes, and restriction points that enhance network safety.

Maxwell argues this expenditure reveals “warped priorities,” stating:

“The truth is that the council’s funding to deliver School Streets and other essential road safety improvements is only constrained by its own warped priorities.”

He posits that the same £2.5 million could install School Streets around all 66 schools currently lacking them.

Furthermore, Maxwell notes potential full funding from Transport for London (TfL) if the council submitted a proper proposal, meaning “it could cost no council funds at all.”

What previous achievements exist with School Streets in Tower Hamlets?

The council’s January 8 reply points to 33 School Streets rolled out since 2019. However, Maxwell attributes these entirely to the previous administration, emphasising Lutfur Rahman’s tenure has seen zero additions and one removal.

This contrast highlights a stagnation in road safety initiatives under the current leadership. Maxwell uses this to question future reliability, asking why residents should trust promises of improvement.

No new details from other sources contradict this breakdown, aligning with Maxwell’s attribution of past successes.

How does Maxwell view the council’s funding excuses?

Maxwell dismisses funding constraints as invalid, given the £2.5 million commitment to dismantling Bethnal Green schemes. He portrays the council as

“happy to commit £2.5m to removing the trees, benches, bike lanes and restriction points that make a network of roads in Bethnal Green safer.”

The councillor candidate urges a reallocation, leveraging TfL grants for a comprehensive rollout. This critique frames the issue as one of political will rather than financial limitation.

The council’s reply acknowledges seeking external funding but offers no timeline or specifics on School Streets.

What is Maxwell’s broader critique of the administration?

Maxwell accuses the current administration of letting down

“Tower Hamlets’ residents, students, workers and visitors.”

He notes it

“talks a good game about being ‘committed to improving road safety around schools’, but in three and a half years it has done absolutely nothing.”

Standing as an independent, Maxwell poses a direct challenge:

“Why should we believe that this would change if they were given another four years of control over Tower Hamlets?”

His petition and public statement position him as a proactive alternative.

This stance reflects his motivation as a parent prioritising child safety.

Who is Ted Maxwell and what drives his candidacy?

Ted Maxwell is a father of four school-age children running as an independent councillor candidate in the May elections. His campaign emphasises safer streets, rooted in personal experience and data from the Road Safety Plan.

By presenting the petition in November, Maxwell demonstrates grassroots engagement. His frustration stems from perceived inaction despite clear needs near the borough’s 66 schools.

Maxwell’s platform critiques the Mayor of Tower Hamlets for unwillingness to adopt School Streets.

What alternatives does the council mention?

The council’s response suggests School Streets may not suit all, advocating “other improvements could be more useful” like cycle training for road safety. However, Maxwell notes “there is no sign of action on any of these ideas.”

This vagueness fuels his disappointment, contrasting with the tangible, low-cost benefits of School Streets. No implementation details for alternatives appear in the reply.

Could TfL funding solve the issue?

Maxwell asserts the council could secure full TfL funding for a School Streets programme “if they only made a considered proposal.” This opportunity would eliminate council costs, redirecting the £2.5 million elsewhere.

The council’s reply mentions seeking external funding generally but omits TfL specifics. Maxwell’s proposal highlights untapped potential amid rising injuries.