Jury out on low-traffic zones

Supporters and critics of LTNS lock horns amid differing findings of their effectiveness

- JOHN EVANS

A feud is brewing over the roll-out of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), created to provide safer and cleaner traffic-free spaces, as more cities across the country adopt the government-backed scheme.

Critics say LTNs generate more problems than they solve - especially affecting local traffic, pushing congestion elsewhere. Meanwhile, supporters argue residential quality of life has improved drastically, with urban streets no longer used as congestion-escaping rat runs.

However, there is a suspicion that because many LTNs are policed by number plate recognition cameras triggering fines of up to £160, they are a revenue-raising tool. Indeed, in 2021, 'moving traffic offences' in London - the highest LTN adopter with 100 - increased by 55.4% compared with the year before (from 2.1 million to 3.25 million), a rise due largely to the introduction of LTNs.

But it's not just the capital where LTNS are being adopted. Cities such as Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, and Sheffield are also creating the traffic-free spaces. Others, such as Oxford - which sparked one of the biggest reactions, with thousands of protestors taking to the streets - have announced upcoming plans.