Forum Topic

Different government approach to LTNs etc

Just read this:https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/tory-clampdown-on-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-to-be-scrapped-5hps96vrc#:~:text=Ministers%20are%20to%20reverse%20Tory,zones%20and%20low%20traffic%20neighbourhoods.If you can't get past the firewall the first few paragraphs are:Tory clampdown on low traffic neighbourhoods to be scrappedLouise Haigh, the transport secretary, says local authorities that want more 20mph zones and LTNs will have her ‘absolute support’Ministers are to reverse Tory plans to clamp down on councils that want to create further 20mph speed limit zones and low traffic neighbourhoods.Louise Haigh, the transport secretary, said local authorities would have her “absolute support” to introduce the schemes in towns and cities. They have often prompted local opposition.She pledged to scrap plans by the previous government that would have restricted councils’ ability to introduce new 20mph zones and make it harder to bring in new low traffic neighbourhoods. She also accused the Conservatives of stoking “really horrific culture wars” with their clampdown on anti-motorist measures, saying that decisions were best taken locally.“They (councils) had the government actively working against them saying ‘no, you’re not allowed to roll out 20mph zones, no you’re not allowed to roll out LTNs’,” she told the Streets Ahead podcast.“Those kinds of decisions should absolutely be made at a local level by communities and not dictated to or stoked by the centre,” she said. “This government has ended all culture wars full stop, but there’s no way you’ll be hearing that from this department now.”The article goes on to say that decisions on these things should be made in the community, so I guess if you live in an LTN and want to get it scrapped, start a petition and get all those in the community to sign (or indeed vice-versa)

Andrew Jones ● 94d16 Comments

Here is what actually happened with the South Chiswick LTN:1. Residents informed local Councillors about their concerns over increasing through traffic and poor driver behaviour in Grove Park and SOTG.2. The Council recognised the concerns, monitored roads affected and conducted a consultation for residents to identify trouble spots and make suggestions for remedies3. Local Councillors started to get cold feet and pull away from the idea of restricting through traffic4. Council Officers used the monitoring data, consultation results and site surveys to draw up a plan for a LTN5. The Council consulted on the plans including sessions with local residents and Councillors and online surveys6. They implemented the plans under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order and continued consultation7. The Council made several fundamental changes to the LTN following feedback and appeals from residents and Councillors, including extending exemptions to residents living outside the LTN, simplifying and aligning restrictions, entirely removing some traffic measures8. The Council continued to listen to appeals from residents to reopen Burlington Lane effectively torpedoing the whole scheme9. Residents and local Councillors decided that would be a bad idea and appealed for the Council to reconsider10. They didIs anything the Council does consulted upon as extensively as closing a few roads to vast numbers of rat runners. And yet still people who didn't get their way (and somebody has to not get their way) complain they were not consulted.

Paul Campbell ● 93d