What is the Streatham Wells LTN?

Streatham Wells Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) has been introduced as a trial, with traffic filters on roads within the Streatham High Road, Leigham Court Road and Streatham Common North stopping through traffic, particularly on Valley Road.  These traffic filters will be camera enforced. All local addresses will remain fully accessible by vehicle. Certain vehicles like TfL buses, fully accessible taxis or emergency vehicles will be exempted from the filters.

The trial will be in place for 12-18 months during which Lambeth will collect feedback, monitor traffic levels and measure other impacts. Aside from an LTN, the project will also implement several Minor and Major Wider Street Improvements

What area does the Streatham Wells LTN cover?

The Streatham Wells LTN is the area bounded by the following roads:

• Leigham Court Road
• Streatham Common North (A214)
• Streatham High Road (A23)

It contains local streets such as Gleneldon Road, Valley Road, Sunnyhill Road and Leigham Avenue.

What are the main objectives of the Streatham Wells LTN from Lambeth Council

• Preventing motor vehicles from cutting through the neighbourhood
• Reducing overall traffic across the neighbourhood and the boundary roads
• Deliver part of the Streatham to Peckham Healthy Route (for walking and cycling)
• Reducing road danger stemming from motorised vehicles

As part of Lambeth Council’s Climate Action Plan, they aim to reduce overall vehicle usage by 27% by 2030 and to achieve World Health Organisation targets for air quality, including on boundary roads and near schools.

 

What are the Streatham Wells Wider Street Improvements promised by Lambeth Council?

Minor Street Improvements include:

• A few identified locations will be developed under the Your Streets Your Way Design Competition, such as Russell’s Footpath and Leithcote Path.
• Tree planting in existing tree pits or where pavement space allows
• Installing cycle hangars where demand has been identified
• Implementing parklets together with the local community

What are traffic filters?

Traffic filters (also called modal filters) are points on the street that ban vehicles from passing through, except cycles, emergency, waste, and vehicles with registered dispensation. A bus gate is also considered a filter.

 

What is a bus gate?

A bus gate is a traffic filter which buses can pass through, along with the other vehicles that are exempt, such as emergency vehicles.

There are three bus gates proposed as part of the Streatham Wells LTN:

• Located at the top of Valley Road at the junction with Leigham Court Road
• Located on Valley Road between Wellfield Road and Gleneldon Road
• On Gleneldon Road on top of the railway bridge

 The 315 bus service will be able to move freely through the bus gates.

 

How do traffic filters work?

All the filters in the Streatham LTN are enforced by are enforced 24/7 with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These work by issuing a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) to motor vehicles that pass through the filter and are not exempted (i.e. emergency & waste vehicles, and vehicles with registered dispensation). Cameras are used, instead of physical barriers, so that emergency vehicles can go through. Tickets issued cost £130 (or £65 if paid within 14 days)

 

Who is allowed to drive through the traffic filters and who can apply for dispensation?

The following can automatically drive through traffic filters without incurring a Penalty.

• Emergency Services
• Buses and pedal cycles
• Rapid response healthcare providers
• Category 1 Responders under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004
• Refuse collection vehicles

Both individual Blue Badge holders and organisations who qualify for a Blue Badge (such as SEN transport providers) can apply for the dispensation. Details of Lambeth’s dispensation policy can be found here: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/parking/parking-permits/low-traffic-neighbourhood-ltn-dispensation-frequently-asked-questions

The following can automatically drive through bus gates without incurring a penalty:

• Accessible private hire vehicles
• Taxis

 

Why can’t residents be granted exemptions to the traffic filters?

Lambeth are implementing LTNs as part of their strategy to reduce traffic across the borough.

 

Why would the traffic management measures be installed as a trial?

Lambeth Council have stated that ‘installing these measures on a trial basis allows for the impact of the project to be measured against the objectives, and for necessary changes to be made before a decision on the permanency is taken’. The impacts of the scheme will be assessed through metrics such as:

• Traffic counts that will measure flows, speeds, and number of vehicles on all streets within the neighbourhood and the surrounding roads
• Impact to bus services in the local area.
• Number of people cycling in the area and number of people using the Healthy Route

The project will be monitored by Lambeth Council throughout the trial period, with traffic counts conducted at the following times:

• Initial adjustment - within 3 months of installation
• Settling down – within 6 months of installation
• Regular use – within 18 months of installation

 

Can people living on the boundary roads have their say?

Yes, we welcome people living in the area, including the boundary roads to have their say, as well as people travelling though or to the area. We want to ensure that anyone who needs to move around or reach the area to use a service or for other reasons, can give feedback on the project.

 

Who will make the decisions on the implementation of LTNs?

The Deputy Leader of the Council (Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air), Cllr Rezina Chowdhury

 

Will fully accessible taxis be able to arrive to the Special Needs Maypole School?

Yes. Fully accessible taxis will be able to drop off and pick up pupils easily via Leigham Court Road. The project team has been in contact with the Maypole School.

 

As a driver, how do I get to the Valley Road GP?

You can access the purple area, including the Valley Road GP, on the map via Streatham High Road. Access to vehicle traffic from Leigham Court Road will only be possible by bus or if you have applied to and granted a dispensation from the filters on Valley Road. See dispensation section above. Sunnyhill Road is a School Street between 8.15-9.15am and 3-4pm and therefore not accessible for vehicles during those times. Wellfield Road is accessible at all times.

 

How do I get to the Gracefield Gardens GP practice? 

You can access the purple area, including the Gracefield Gardens GP, on the map via Streatham High Road. Whilst Transport for London (TfL) is progressing with proposals to physically close Gracefield Gardens, this will not yet be in place when the Streatham Wells LTN trial launches. Multiple routes are possible for motorised traffic including refuse vehicles and ambulances: Route A : Via Streatham High Road, Gracefield Gardens Route B : one-way movement is possible: Via Streatham High Road, Leigham Avenue, Woodleigh Gardens, Gracefield Gardens Route C : two-way movement is possible: Via Streatham High Road, Pendennis road, Newcombe Gardens, Gracefield Gardens

 

Will the TfL Gracefield Gardens traffic filter be implemented at the same time as the LTN trial? 

No. The Streatham Wells LTN trial will be implemented before the Gracefield Gardens traffic filter at Streatham High Road. The Streatham Wells LTN traffic filters will be part of a trial whereas the TfL Gracefield Gardens traffic filter will be implemented as a permanent scheme. Further information on the TfL Gracefield Gardens project is available here: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/gracefield-gardens