RESIDENTS and businesses will decide the future of Stoke Newington’s traffic system for the first time since it was introduced in the 1970s.

A 2008 campaign to abolish the current system – the A10 gyratory

that runs around Stoke Newington High Street, Rectory Road, Manse Road and Evering Road – fell flat when Transport for London ruled out changes.

But Hackney Council has now reviewed the decision and announced a series of drop-in sessions this week, as well as forms for residents to fill out with their opinions on the matter.

The Hackney branch of London Cycling Campaign (LCC) will use the consultation to argue that reverting to a two-way system will see a decline in cyclists riding on pavements, quicken the time it takes motorists to circle the circuit and deter drivers from speeding through residential areas.

But the idea of a dual system has its detractors.

Stoke Newington Business Association object to the idea because they say a two-way system is impractical for loading. The drop-in sessions take place on October 14, 6-8pm, at Stoke Newington Town Hall in Stoke Newington Church Street, October 19, 11am-2pm, at Stoke Newington Library, also in Church Street, November 12, 5-8pm, at Morrison’s Supermarket in Stamford Hill and the final session is on December 4, 10am-2.30pm at Stoke Newington Farmers’ Market in William Patten School, Church Street.