Now even Greens admit low-traffic schemes do more harm than good
LOW-traffic schemes now have an unlikely opponent – Green Party politicians.
Some candidates in tomorrow’s local elections have said the controversial low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) can cause ‘more harm than good’.
They criticised schemes for being poorly thought-out and built at short notice with little consultation, and have even signed petitions against them.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has handed town halls hundreds of millions of pounds for LTNs since the start of the pandemic, to encourage a longterm shift away from car travel towards walking and cycling.
But yesterday it emerged Maria Psaras, a Green Party candidate for crystal Palace in south London, wrote to a croydon councillor criticising them last year, complaining they can ‘cause more harm than good’ and that LTNs in the borough had been ‘poorly consulted, designed and implemented’.
Speaking on a facebook group which says it is ‘against poorly implemented LTNs in croydon’, she said she had signed a petition opposing the measures in a personal capacity ‘as a mum and concerned citizen’ prior to her candidacy.
Charith Gunawardena, a Green councillor in the north London borough of Enfield who defected from Labour last May, has also campaigned against an LTN in his area.
He said it had a ‘disproportionate negative impact on people with protected characteristics, including those on the lowest incomes, those with disabilities, and ethnic minorities’. it came amid complaints that LTNs were pushing more traffic on to other main roads and creating congestion.
Southwark Green Party told campaign group One Dulwich that LTNs had been ‘introduced with poor levels of engagement, the sense of pre-determined consultation and with limited phasing’.
More than 300 LTNs have been created in the last two years or are in the pipeline in the UK.
the schemes include pop-up cycle lanes, wider pavements and closing streets to cars.
Many are enforced with cameras and fines for drivers who stray into them, often unaware that cars are banned. Dozens have been torn up after councils pressed ahead despite local opposition. the measures, part of Mr Shapps’s promise to spend £2billion on cycle lanes by 2025, are usually supported by green groups.
Hugh Bladon, of the alliance of British Drivers, said: ‘the closure of roads and the reduction in road space has caused massive congestion, increased pollution and serious delays for emergency vehicles.
‘There is nothing wrong with cycling for those who wish to do so, but this has been social engineering and it is quite wrong and a waste of money.’
A spokesman for the Green Party said: ‘When implemented with sensitivity to local conditions and proper engagement with residents, low-traffic neighbourhoods are overwhelmingly popular.’
Yesterday the Guardian revealed tory candidates in 21 council areas have placed 136 adverts on facebook pledging to scrap LTNs or clean air zones – which charge motorists for driving through city centres in older cars – putting them at odds with Mr Shapps.
‘Wrong and a waste of money’