Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN’s) - the Carshalton and Wallington Labour Party view

Some background

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are funded by central government funding. In London the scheme is administered by Transport for London (TFL), with local authorities having the final say on their implementation and the use of taxpayer money. In the case of Sutton, where a number of LTNs have been hastily introduced for a 6 month trial period, this means that a Conservative government, via a Labour Mayor, has provided funding which a Liberal Democrat Council has implemented.

LTNs – for and against

We believe that LTNs have the potential to be a positive step forward in fighting climate change, tackling complex traffic problems and providing measures for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That said, we are deeply concerned with the implementation of these schemes and the inefficient use of public funds.

For instance, in Sutton we have been informed that £34,000 of hard-working taxpayers’ money has been spent to install just 9 cones in one location. Further, we are alarmed to discover that the Police were not consulted, and that the Highways Agency has stated that the Liberal Democrats “overbid” for these schemes. Clearly, there has been an issue mismanagement and botched implementation of LTNs in Sutton. One of the LTNs has already been scrapped after residents’ protests and others may be set to go the same way.

LTNs in Sutton – what went wrong?

Our local LTN schemes have come in for a lot of criticism. Problems raised include

Planning

• Lack of understanding of the complexity of traffic flow in local areas

• Failure to consult residents at a local level and utilise their local knowledge

• Lack of traffic modelling.

• Failure to gather information on how far residents can change their mode of transport

• Failure to understand that not everyone can walk or cycle

Problems for residents and road users

• Residents of affected roads given information about closures and changes at the last minute – information which was often inaccurate

• Parents unable to deliver their children to school on time – particularly those with children at multiple schools

• Workers (including key workers) unable to get to work on time due to delays.

• Carers unable to access properties,

• Ambulances hindered by blocked roads

• Delivery drivers and other workers paid per job seeing a reduction in pay due to associated delays

• Reduced footfall for struggling local businesses

• Mobility problems for disabled residents who rely on their vehicles

• Longer journey times for many road users

• Traffic jams and the resulting increase in pollution from vehicles in neighbouring roads

Advantages for residents

• Reduction in traffic noise in affected streets

• Improved air quality in streets with closures or reduced traffic

• Safer roads for children, pedestrians and cyclists

• Removal of heavy traffic from narrow roads which were unsuitable for use as main routes

Photo of Butter Hill Carshalton after LTN

In summary, LTNs are a good idea (reduce motor traffic and improve our environment and our health) but crucially, poorly planned and badly implemented. A wasted opportunity to improve our local area.

It seems that the Liberal Democrats are no longer interested in the views of the residents they serve, and continue to push forward their agenda, while showering us with leaflets full of their supposed successes.

What would the other parties do?

The Conservatives are quick to criticise the Liberal Democrats and stoke up feeling against them, but we haven’t heard them put forward much in the way of alternative solutions.

The Labour proposal:

• Collect data on traffic and road use

• Invite residents, councillors and community representatives to identify problem traffic areas and propose solutions

• Draw up proposals based on evidence and feedback

• Consult traffic agencies and emergency services

• Fully inform and consult residents of the proposals

• Run a pilot scheme to iron out problems in limited zones

• Provide full details of schemes well in advance of the start date

• If necessary delay the start date to allow schemes to be properly implemented

We don’t have to settle for the Liberal Democrat way of doing things - there is a different way, one that respects residents’ wishes and works to improve the borough. One that works to gain residents’ support of green goals. For the present, we call on the Liberal Democrat Council to listen to the views of residents and work with the community instead of against it. We call on the Liberal Democrats to reconsider their LTN proposals and to recognise that it’s no good putting ambitious schemes into place without doing proper research and consultation and getting the support of the local community.