Eco-friendly 'low traffic neighbourhood' scheme scrapped after making traffic WORSE
The trial scheme began in March 2022
Newcastle City Council
Newcastle City Council has abandoned its Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme after a review found that the limitations had made traffic worse.
The trial 18-month scheme began in March 2022 and closed off several streets in an attempt to reduce the number of vehicles using local streets, as well as encouraging more residents to cycle or walk.
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Yet data collected from the trial showed that traffic increased, as vehicles were forced to used surrounding roads instead, resulting in congestion.
The council also said that the LTNs had not encouraged people to walk or cycle instead.
There are more than 100 permanent LTN schemes around the UK PAThe trial, which saw several streets in the Fenham area being cordoned off, ends on September 8 and Newcastle City Council has announced that they will not be renewing it.
Newcastle City Councillor Jane Byrne, cabinet member for transport, said: “We’re committed to creating cleaner, greener and safer neighbourhoods and reducing the volume of traffic cutting through local streets is an important part in achieving this.
“Fenham was the first area of the city to pilot a neighbourhood low traffic zone trial and we haven’t seen enough evidence to keep it in place, particularly with the displacement of traffic onto what should be quiet residential streets, rather than rerouting onto the main roads.
“As we have said many times, these schemes are trials, which are really important as they allow us to try the changes in local areas and see what works for people living in the zone.”
While the LTN trial saw some success in forcing more cars to use the main roads in the area, it also resulted in heavy traffic on neighbouring streets to the LTN zones.
Newcastle is not the only area to abandon the eco-friendly scheme, with many other councils across the country choosing to scrap the system.
More than a quarter of the LTNs have now been cancelled.
Southwark Council, in south London, deserted their plans for a new LTN in Dulwich Village after many people expressed their disdain at the project.
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Many other councils have chosen to axe the eco-friendly schemes
PAElsewhere in London, Hammersmith and Fulham council scrapped an LTN in Brackenbury Village after 40 business owners said that the scheme would put off customers visiting.
Rishi Sunak ordered a review of the eco-friendly scheme in July, telling drivers that he is “on their side”.
He has ordered the Department for Transport to carry out a review on the LTNs, which discourages the use of cars in residential areas.
LTNs are residential areas where councils have introduced different measure to reduce traffic.
They aim to discourage people to drive, instead pushing residents to walk or cycle.
In Spring 2020, the Government announced £250million in funding to expand the scheme in London.