Skip advert
Advertisement

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods continue to make money despite controversies

One council received £2million in fines from a single LTN in four months, with residents complaining of increased congestion

Heavy Traffic

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) – which ban cars from entering certain residential streets in urban areas – are continuing to rake in money for councils, despite long-running controversy.

Haringey Council in London issued 60,000 penalty charge notices to drivers who entered three LTNs between September and December 2022, The Daily Telegraph reported, resulting in revenue of nearly £2million in four months.

Meanwhile, residents of Tottenham contacted their MP – Labour’s David Lammy – to complain that LTNs in the area were increasing congestion. Lammy called for a review of the schemes.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Another area of London – Dulwich Village – also made headlines over LTNs. According to The Daily Mail, disability campaigners asked the local authority if Blue Badge holders could be given an exemption from LTNs in the area, which have been in place since the first Covid lockdown. The councillor responsible for the scheme was reportedly angry at the suggestion, accusing two campaigners of “mansplaining” when they presented a petition from 600 residents.

Outside of London, resistance to LTNs has been even more fierce. The Oxford Mail reported the case of a street in east Oxford where violence broke out between residents disagreeing about an LTN, with the police having to get involved.

London traffic

LTNs came about at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the Government launched a £250million ‘Emergency Active Travel Fund’ for councils to create schemes that encouraged walking and cycling.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Local authorities across the country implemented these schemes in towns and cities, physically closing residential roads off with bollards or planters, as well as using cameras to fine motorists who attempted to drive through.

Although the schemes were often popular with those living on residential streets who benefitted from reduced traffic, congestion increased on major urban roads. Residents of those streets – typically less financially well off – were hit with higher levels of noise and pollution.

Other issues emerged, such as emergency services being unable to reach residents because of blocked routes. Controversy over the schemes grew as time went on, with many being reversed and millions of pounds of taxpayer money being wasted.

In October 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) finally admitted that the official data used to justify the schemes had actually been false.

A DfT report entitled ‘Minor Road Traffic Estimates’ suggested traffic on minor roads had increased by 60 per cent in London between 2009 and 2019, and by 72 per cent on the smallest roads in the capital.

A technical review of this report, however, revealed there was no increase in London’s traffic over the decade, while miles driven on minor roads across Britain increased by just 10 per cent over 10 years, rather than the 26 per cent suggested by the report.

Do you live in a Low Traffic Neighbourhood? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

MOT failure rate is worse for vans than cars
MOT

MOT failure rate is worse for vans than cars

More than a third of light commercials failed their first MoT last year, new figures show
News
12 Nov 2024
Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers
Renault Zoe being driven in Paris

Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers

Drivers entering Paris city centre will have to prove residency or a valid destination to avoid a fine
News
5 Nov 2024
Surprise fuel duty freeze fails to dampen driver discontent with Autumn Budget
Parliament

Surprise fuel duty freeze fails to dampen driver discontent with Autumn Budget

Was Labour’s first budget a let-down for motorists? Most of our readers think so
News
5 Nov 2024
Mileage fraud threat highlighted by vehicle check data
EU to crack down on car clocking companies

Mileage fraud threat highlighted by vehicle check data

160,000 used cars will be sold with incorrect mileage this year, new figures show
News
1 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each
Land Rover Defender Octa - front action

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each

Buyers aren’t being deterred by the hefty asking price for the most powerful Defender yet, with 2,900 already signing up worldwide
News
12 Nov 2024
Car Deal of the Day: no-nonsense MG ZS EV for £226 per month
MG ZS EV - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: no-nonsense MG ZS EV for £226 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 10 November comes from Carwow’s new leasing arm, Carwow Leasey
News
10 Nov 2024
Car Deal of the Day: 641bhp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a bargain at this price
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 641bhp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a bargain at this price

The 2024 Auto Express Performance Car of the Year is now our Deal of the Day for 7 November
News
7 Nov 2024