The plan, which aims to make the road easier to maintain for council street cleaners and differentiate the road from pavement areas, follows last year’s crackdown on ‘curry touts’ who approach pedestrians in the area to drum up business for the many curry houses along the historic road.
“It is just part of the work we are doing to ensure the area is as welcoming as possible to visitors this summer, when all eyes will be focused on the borough.” said Councillor Shahed Ali, who represents the Labour party for Whitechapel and Cabinet Member for Environment.
The International Olympic Committee recently launched the Brick Lane area as ‘Curry Capital 2012’
Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said “Like all of Tower Hamlets, Brick Lane is such a vibrant area and in many ways its history embodies the Olympic spirit”
The plans have come under attack from some residents – after all, losing the bricks from Brick Lane is bound to ruffle some feathers – with complaints that attempting to homogenise and modernise Brick Lane will spoil the historic character and unique appeal of the area.
“Before, when the road was made of brick it was nicer. Now it is going to lose its character and tradition, it’s going to be like a normal road. There is no need to waste money on that.” local shop owner Mohammed Maksudul Kabir told East London Lines.
Like to contact Mr Ali and let him know what you think of the plans? Click here to get in touch.
Find out more about the history of the area on this Wikipedia page and leave your comments below…
See the petition ‘Brick Lane not Tarmac Lane!’ on iPetitions.com
Images: Getty
