Hackney has the highest number of LTNs, new research shows

Hackney has the highest proportion of suitable streets with a Low Traffic Neighborhood (LTN), according to research conducted by the Healthy Streets Scorecard. 

This is closely followed by Waltham Forest, Islington, and Newham.

In comparison, Bexley, Barking, and Dagenham have the lowest number of suitable streets with an LTN. 

The research, which was conducted by a coalition of low-traffic campaigners found that overall, in the six-month period from May – October, the overall picture of LTNs remains similar to the previous six months. 

This is expected given that the recent expansion of LTNs was fuelled by funding made available as part of TfL’s Street space programme and from the Department for Transport.

LTNs were first introduced in the Netherlands in the 1970s where they have been largely praised for their affordable and efficient ability to reduce congestion and air pollution by blocking through traffic on residential streets. Following this success, in 2014 the UK set out to adopt a similar framework with the ‘mini-Hollands’ scheme, which thanks to funding from the then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, was introduced in Waltham Forest, Enfield, and Kingston.

Despite their efforts to reduce air pollution, the schemes remain widely controversial, with some people claiming they just displace traffic to other areas.

The Healthy Streets Scorecard coalition, said: ‘We remain firmly committed to campaigning for borough-wide LTNs in all London boroughs. Low traffic schemes have a hugely positive impact, reducing traffic congestion, pollution, road danger, carbon emissions, and noise and increasing healthy, active travel.

‘These schemes are relatively inexpensive to implement and we are looking for strong action from all London boroughs in the next 12 months to reduce overall volumes of motor traffic on all roads, and introduce more LTNs, as well as School Streets for all primary and secondary schools, borough-wide 20mph speed limits, controlled parking and protected cycle lanes on main roads.

‘Low Traffic High Streets and main roads are also vital, not just because people live, work, shop and go to school on main roads, but also because reducing traffic boosts the high street economy.

‘We also want strong action on main roads and we’ve been particularly delighted to see the recent introduction of ‘bus gates’, which allow buses and cycles through but not private cars, like that on Stoke Newington Church Street in Hackney.

‘Bus gates deliver a Low Traffic High Street which is good for business, but also speedier buses and we hope to see many more of them very soon.’

Photo by Nick Page