A MAN has taken matters into his own hands to challenge the council’s denial on Mini-Holland’s impact on fire crew delays.

Last month, a freedom of information request revealed a near 50 per cent rise in delays to fire crews in Walthamstow since Mini-Holland road closures began.

Taking the matter onto the streets of Walthamstow is Keith Foster, who literally got on his bike to time how long it took him to travel from the Forest Road fire station to the junction at Hoe Street and Greenleaf Road.

At about 6pm on Monday (March 6), Mr Foster began cycling from the fire station using the longer route via The Bell corner and down Hoe Street.

This route is now the only option for cars after the Mini-Holland closure of Greenleaf Road.

He said: “I was held up for 15 seconds at a pedestrian crossing, but time was made up with a green light phase at The Bell to turn right without much delay.”

He reached the Hoe Street junction with Greenleaf Road in approximately three minutes and 35 seconds.

Returning to the same start point he began his second journey using the shorter route along Greenleaf Road to the Hoe Street junction.

He said: “It took me a mere two minutes and 27 seconds.

“You don't need a scientist to calculate a fire engine with blue flashing lights would still encounter a time difference over the same distance.

“Even if it was going considerably faster than my very basic bicycle.”

The council has denied Mini-Holland’s impact on the delays, which include all instances of traffic, roadworks and similar causes.

Deputy leader cllr Clyde Loakes said: “There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that these delays have any connection to the Mini-Holland programme.”

The London Fire Brigade Borough Commander of Waltham Forest, Jamie Jenkins, pointed out that while delays have gone up in 2016, attendance times are at a six-year high.

He said: "To suggest it is solely based on the Mini-Holland project would be inaccurate.

"Our attendance times in the borough are among the best in London with a first fire engine arriving on average in four minutes and 56 seconds and a second in six minutes and 45 seconds.

"Both are well within our average attendance time targets of six minutes for a first and eight minutes for a second.”

An unconvinced Mr Foster added: “It is clear from this that everyone in the council cabinet must examine their personal conscience about the truth of the utter shambles they have heaped upon the borough as a result of Mini-Holland.

“It might well suit the 'village people' who live in some Bermuda Triangle Mini-Holland has created.”