"No through roads”

In October 2023 Lambeth Council imposed experimental traffic restrictions on roads in the Streatham Wells area and called it a "Low Traffic Neighbourhood" (LTN). This means there are no through roads for motorised vehicles through the area, except for existing bus routes and black cabs.

The council’s main aims were to:

• Make the air cleaner
• Reduce car dependency
• Increase take up of active travel – cycling and walking
• Improve Climate resilience and community

The idea sounded like it would benefit everyone in the Streatham Wells area. There was no mention of any major negative side effects by Lambeth Council for the LTN. 

So what are the results of this new traffic experiment so far?

Has the air become cleaner?

The air may be cleaner in Streatham Wells although increased pollution on the main roads will travel. However the LTN has caused:

A High Congestion Neighbourhood (HCN): The main roads have become gridlocked during rush hours and for longer with traffic tailed back as far as the Streatham Common on Leigham Court Road and up the side of Streatham Common North which has never been seen before. The impact has been felt as far away as Tooting, Mitcham, Norbury, West Norwood, Balham and Crystal Palace as Streatham is on key routes East to West, South to North. These roads are also residential roads.

Rising Pollution levels: Dunraven, Julian's Primary, The Livity School, Maypole School, Beechwood Nursery and St Andrews Primary have many thousands of extra cars a day going past their pupils. Levels of known dangerous pollutants have been higher than usual as monitored on airly.org which are particularly dangerous to young children.

Poor quality data gathering: there appear to be no council air quality monitors on the most affected area of Streatham High Road, outside St Andrews school on Streatham Common North or outside Julian's school on Leigham Court Road. There are also a lack of monitors in the wider area towards Crown Point, Streatham Common North, Norbury, Balham and so on. Traffic monitoring also suffers from poor transparency and quality with the ‘jam cameras’ often not working on Streatham High Road. 

Has it reduced car dependency?

Bus services delayed and reduced: Bus services that were already struggling to meet local needs have been re-routed, cancelled or returning to their depots early due to congestion making the bus timetable unreliable. Trains in this area are not frequent enough and can be unreliable. This has left people who depend on public transport to get to work and school without any mode of transport at all. 

Impact on NHS resources: Since the LTN began, local GPs, midwives, school nurses and other professionals have reported arriving late for work, patients are arriving late or cancelling appointments.

Disability Discrimination:  The council only offers those with Blue Badges free access past one LTN camera. Traffic on our HCN roads makes their activities into an ordeal. Many have reported they have felt so stressed recently they haven’t left their house, haven’t seen the GP, haven’t gone to the pharmacist and haven’t seen their friends.  Some disabilities do not have blue badges but are equally affected such as those with poor mental health or fatigue.

More and longer car journeys taken: Car dependency grows as residents can't rely on buses to get them anywhere on time. Side roads are quieter and more scary to walk along after dark. 

Childcare and education catastrophe: when people can't rely on cars or buses to get them anywhere efficiently, they can't get their children to school or nursery on time. SEN transport minibuses are routinely sandwiched into the new LTN traffic jams creating distress and uncertainty for children. Single parents/carers struggle to get children to school and get to jobs on time.

Blue light services affected: Ambulances, police cars and fire engines are routinely sandwiched into the new LTN traffic jams, jeopardising safety and quick response times. They can use the LTN roads but often cannot access them as stuck on the main roads. Would you wait for an ambulance to get to you now?

Has there been an increase in walking/cycling?

Cyclists are reporting major problems: the main roads are now more dangerous to cycle on with the high levels of congestion. Bus lanes are nose to tail buses now and don’t leave room for cyclists to stay on the roads so the only alternative is to cycle on the pavement, which in turn makes it more dangerous for pedestrians to use. The roads have not been maintained so are full of potholes and gullies with leaves and rubbish which are dangerous to cyclists. Commuter cyclists use the main roads not the back streets.

Local businesses are suffering: estate agents can’t show as many properties due to congestion, driving instructors are stuck in traffic, trades can’t make as many calls in a day and some are refusing to work in Streatham Wells. Local businesses have immediately felt a loss of custom and income and may be forced to close. Streatham High Road is so polluted now, many do not wish to visit the shops and restaurants there.

Is the LTN domino effect?: teachers resign from their jobs, residents put their homes up for sale, businesses close, parents cancel their children's social activities, asthmatics on sacrificial roads experience worse health, low income workers have to reduce their hours or risk being late to collect children from school, buses sit idling next to ambulances. How long can we afford to let this ‘bed in’?

What has been introduced to help climate resilience and community?