Council to make LTN permanent despite claims of road gridlock
A COUNCIL is embroiled in a fresh row over Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) after it emerged that it planned to make one permanent.
Rishi Sunak, the Tory leadership hopeful, has pledged to review LTNs if he becomes prime minister, because he fears they increase congestion, causing difficulties for emergency vehicles.
Ferndale LTN in Lambeth, south London, was created as part of the local authority’s response to the pandemic, which involved limiting the number of drivers using roads in some parts of the borough.
In an “extensive public consultation” earlier this year, most respondents said the scheme was a positive step, the council said. However, others have criticised the move as “badly thought out” and claim that preventing cars from entering the area has caused gridlock on surrounding roads.
Niamh Kenny, of One Lambeth, a campaign group that opposes LTNs, said: “It’s a faux green scheme that looks good on paper, but the reality on boundary roads means it’s a badly thought-out strategy.
“Increased mileage due to the filters increases air pollution and congestion, which affect all of us using main or boundary roads. Any mitigations for those roads are years away, while some of us suffer increased ill health.”
Mr Sunak said: “The UK is a passionate driving nation because driving provides freedom. We need to stop making life difficult for the vast majority of people across the UK who rely on a car as their primary source of transport to healthcare, employment and other essential day-to-day things.”
LTNs close roads to traffic, prioritising the needs of cyclists and pedestrians to decrease vehicle emissions and make travel safer for non-drivers.
Lambeth council issued more than £20 million in fines for driving in LTNs in the last year. A total of 183,192 penalty charge notices were issued by the council. The £120 fine halves to £65 if it is paid within 14 days, so Lambeth earned up to £21,983,040 in revenue.
When deciding whether to make the LTN permanent, the council said it had monitored its success in achieving objectives such as “reducing road danger, encouraging people to travel in more active and healthy ways, supporting the local economy, making high streets more pleasant and improving air quality”.
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for sustainable Lambeth and clean air, said: “The proposals to make Ferndale Low Traffic Neighbourhood permanent are very welcome. Throughout the trial phase we have seen the level of vehicle traffic reduce, however we want to be clear in saying there is more to do across Lambeth.
“We are committed to listening to feedback, to build on the success of the LTN in the future.
“The current LTNs alone will not solve traffic issues across the borough, so we are looking at making further improvements in neighbourhoods and, with our partners at TfL, on main roads.” Lambeth Council was contacted for comment.