A Department for Transport (DfT) review of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) has found little evidence of widespread opposition to LTNs, despite the Government's rhetoric.
As suggested by a recent leak, the DfT’s research into LTNs failed to find evidence either of significant opposition to the schemes or of negative impacts.
The report, which was launched by prime minister Rishi Sunak last summer, found that their impact on boundary roads is minimal. This has been a key complaint of LTN critics, who argued the schemes simply pushed the traffic onto nearby roads potentially causing more congestion and pollution.
A survey found that more residents thought LTNs have made a positive difference to traffic volumes and noise, air quality, the choice of transport modes and the safety of walking and cycling, than thought they have made a negative difference. Most thought they had made no difference or answered ‘don’t know’.
It states: ‘While the review of existing evidence showed that LTN schemes have had several positive impacts, albeit with more uncertainty in terms of economic ones, this remains largely unrecognised by stakeholders or residents (in the four scheme areas where survey research was conducted).’
The document concludes: ‘Low awareness of the schemes among residents and uncertainty about benefits, does not automatically translate into widespread opposition.’
It also found what it called ‘tensions’ between evidence and perceptions: ‘For example, the evidence suggests that impacts (positive or negative) on boundary roads are minimal, but residents are more likely than not to think that schemes have added traffic congestion and queues to these nearby roads.’
On the back of the review, ministers released fresh guidance for English councils to ‘ensure’ that LTNs and 20mph speed limits have the support of local people in consultations.
New consultations and guidance
The DfT said councils that fail to deliver 'sensible road schemes that work for local people' could see future funding withdrawn, or the government ‘ultimately take control of an authority’s roads where they are deemed to be widely mismanaged’.
A consultation will also be launched this summer on measures including the removal of local authorities’ access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency data to enforce such schemes by camera.
Transport secretary Mark Harper said: ‘Well thought-out schemes, like 20mph limits outside schools, can make our roads safer, but we are raising the bar to help ensure all traffic schemes work for everyone in the community.
‘We’re on the side of drivers, and these latest measures show we’re getting on with delivering what we promised in our Plan for Drivers – making their lives better, fairer and cheaper, and helping people travel in the way that works best for them.’
Paul Tuohy, CEO of Campaign for Better Transport, argued that any measures to obstruct tried and tested ways to reduce congestion, such as bus lanes and other bus-friendly measures, will result in longer journey times for both bus passengers and drivers.
He said: ‘Divisive rhetoric which pits drivers against public transport users is a nonsense. Many drivers are public transport users too, and many more would like to be.'
Arguing that current restrictions on bus lane use are ‘too rigid’, the DfT also published a new local transport note on how to deliver priority for bus services in England.
It also launched consultations ‘focusing on preventing local councils from turning drivers into “cash cows” by profiting from enforcing traffic restrictions, such as on yellow box junctions and parking restrictions.
Other measures in the announcement included new guidance that the DfT said would make it simpler and easier for councils to charge utility companies which slow down drivers with street works, as well as a promised consultation to prevent drivers caught without insurance claiming property damage from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
The DfT announced a consultation on allowing motorcycles to access bus lanes by default, despite having introduced new guidance on the issue in January, and published research that 'revealed' the success of noise cameras in cracking down on illegally modified exhausts and anti-social drivers.
Ministers also re-announced £50m for councils to improve traffic signals, confirming that 80 have won funding, but not naming them. The Transport Technology Forum recently said the DfT was working to release the list of winners ‘during the week beginning 11 March’.
