LTNs - What are Low Traffic Neighbourhoods?
LTNs are areas where through traffic is restricted and streets are effectively turned into culde-sacs, usually using plant boxes or bollards. In some cases, access for all vehicles is completely blocked by bollards. In other cases, cameras are used to record vehicles that miss or ignore the new restriction signs, and those who are not exempt (eg emergency service vehicles) will then be fined. How much depends on the local authority.
Why are they so controversial?
They usually cut through-traffic levels, noise, pollution and road danger within their boundaries, but . . .
Traffic (and its noise, risks and dangers) is often transferred onto other residential and community roads, including main roads that are already comparatively busy.
Congestion and idling traffic then become big problems, particularly if these roads have homes, bus stops, schools, nurseries, community centres and local shops -- and they usually do.
n some areas, restrictions can slow bus journey times. And little thought has been given to people whose livelihood depends on using a car or van: carers, cabbies, trades people, small businesses that rely on drive-by custom.
Many disabled people who rely on cars (either their own or other peoples') feel their needs are not taken into account as they are forced to spend more time stuck in longer traffic queues which can aggravate symptoms such as chronic pain and fatigue.
Many councils have used dubious evidence to justify the implementation of LTNs, and used equally dubious methods to measure traffic, pollution and congestion on surrounding roads. Unbelievably, many councils have ignored the plight of those living, working, walking, waiting for buses, going to school on roads where their own counts show significant traffic increases due to LTNs (and this is despite using equipment that is likely to be under-counting slow-moving traffic). Many councils have ignored the feedback from their own consultations if it shows the majority of residents/businesses do not want LTNs.
Are LTNs a recent idea?
In one form or another, under various names, they have been around for some time. Previous road calming measures or closures often targeted particular problems, such as motorists using side roads to avoid a set of lights, or to discourage kerb crawling.
But recent LTNs implemented during and since the pandemic are proving the most controversial
Many were rushed through (without proper consultation or Equality Impact Assessments) as “temporary emergency LTNs” in order to try to get more people walking and cycling during Covid; and they tend to cover a wider geographical area than earlier schemes. They are also often in close proximity, decanting more and more traffic on a shrinking set of open road. This caused disruption to many people's lives almost overnight.
Have LTNs been successful?
For some people, yes. They made their road quieter. But a lot of the claims made for LTNs are unravelling. One big problem is fairness, particularly if we are looking at health outcomes, such as asthma. The roads that lose traffic usually haven’t had as much of it as the ones that receive it, creating an even more
unequal situation.
Who is responsible for putting them in?
Councils and local authorities are responsible for putting them in but in recent years they have also got financial help from central government. During the pandemic the government encouraged councils to implement LTNs by way of Experimental Traffic Orders which did not require prior consultation.