Labour council set to bring in punishing traffic measures amid rise in speeding and driving offences

Council documents confirmed that the Corporate Director for Growth and Environment will be authorised to introduce the changes through Traffic Management Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Officials have concluded that holding a public inquiry would not provide any additional useful information, and therefore, no inquiry will take place.

The council expects the project to cost £20,788, with the authority aiming to have it completed by December 20 before Christmas.

Monitoring carried out earlier this year has shown a sharp rise in traffic using Palace Road as a shortcut. Data collected in May 2025 recorded more than 3,700 cars travelling along the road each day.

According to the council, many drivers are using Palace Road and Probyn Road to avoid the traffic lights on the nearby gyratory. Speeding has also become a significant concern for residents.

Nearly four in 10 vehicles travelling on Probyn Road were found to be exceeding the speed limit, while 29 per cent of drivers on Palace Road were also recorded breaking the limit. The council describes this increase in through-traffic and speeding as "significant" compared with the last time the Streatham Hill LTN was reviewed.

Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, who serves as Cabinet Member for Clean Air and Sustainable Lambeth, says residents have repeatedly raised concerns about dangerous driving.

She stated: "Road danger and speeding are some of the top issues that residents talk to me about, and the council is absolutely clear that we will take action to keep people safe."

"We know that the Palace Road–Probyn Road cut-through is used by too many people to avoid the traffic lights on the gyratory. It's not fair for small local streets to be used like this."

The proposed traffic filter is intended to address these concerns directly and will be enforced by cameras, with only pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles with specific exemptions permitted to pass through the restriction.

Exemptions will apply to emergency services and to Blue Badge holders who have received approved dispensations. The council said the filter will reduce traffic volumes, discourage dangerous shortcuts and create safer conditions for people walking, cycling or using wheelchairs and mobility aids.

The scheme will be built using durable, cost-effective materials, and it will also include new planting and additional cycle-parking facilities.

Transport for London is reportedly funding the entire project through a grant provided to Lambeth Council, which can now use the money to install the cameras.

Monitoring across the neighbourhood indicated that overall traffic on internal and nearby main roads has fallen by five per cent. Residential streets inside the LTN have seen a much larger reduction, with vehicle numbers decreasing by 54 per cent.

The new filter is being brought forward as Lambeth continues its traffic-reduction programme despite recent legal setbacks.

In June earlier this year, the High Court ordered the immediate removal of the West Dulwich LTN after ruling that the scheme had been introduced unlawfully.

The ruling did not relate to whether the LTN was effective but instead focused on errors in the way it had been implemented. Lambeth was denied permission to appeal the decision and later began issuing refunds to drivers who had paid penalty charge notices under the scheme.

The council maintained that it remains committed to reducing traffic on residential roads and improving safety for local communities.