The effect on local residents is pretty much the same: on those roads in Fulham they have had to drive the long way around for decades, but can walk or cycle on a direct route.

I can just as easily argue that the blocks increase freedom and autonomy (especially of children and elderly) since they can now use their local roads safely and/or independently.

Whatever binary classification you choose, I don't want to shape a debate around it. It is too simple. Great for bad headlines, +1s on Facebook and so on, but detrimental to public discourse and society.