“.... nothing has inflamed like LTNs” - Rupa Huq
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/11/22/lobbied-syria-bombing-brexit-time-nothing-has-inflamed-like/Rupa HuqLTN: three letters guaranteed to make suburban MPs shudder.“Low Traffic Neighbourhoods” might sound harmless enough, but since bursting onto the landscape with little notice and zero consultation, central government-funded schemes to encourage cycling and walking have seen once-compliant communities revolting.LTNs dominate our inboxes, social media notifications and daily encounters. A south London colleague was harangued by opponents when taking her children to the park. In Tooting, Islington and Ealing, residents who’ve never attended demos have protested at the effective blocking off of side streets by bollards and oversized flowerpots.The aim was to stop unnecessarily short car journeys to combat the climate crisis. Dramatically rushed through as a coronavirus emergency measure however, LTNs have felt for many, less introduced and more inflicted on them. I’ve been vigorously lobbied on Syria bombing and Brexit in my time but nothing has inflamed like this. My own cycling habit began in the 80s as my means of getting from home to school. At university in the 90s in Cambridge it was nigh-on compulsory. Our home now has more bikes than people. I do not need convincing of the benefits: cycling is healthy, free and takes you door to door. Post-LTN however, I’ve been labelled a petrolhead by the lycra brigade, and warned that I am going to hell for passing on the concerns of my constituents. In an LTN, access to side roads is convoluted for drivers and restricted for emergency services, who have to be issued keys for unlocking bollards. Cumulative traffic is then forced onto main roads, whose residents complain of constant gridlock and worsened pollution. Opinions are so entrenched that there’s no possibility for rational debate. Those unwilling to be inconvenienced into driving a millimetre more than previously are pitted against others catastrophising that the planet is endangered. I’ve been the recipient of death threats in the past, but I’ve found lycra brigade surprisingly vicious.I’m a great believer in evidence-led policy, so find the lack of baseline data on LTNs, as well as the“implement now, consult later” sequencing concerning. As for claiming that they are needed because car journeys are set to rise exponentially, post-pandemic we're likely to see ever-more home working and thus fewer, nor more car journeys.All stick and no carrot is wrong: why not incentivise lift-sharing or address issues of bike ownership and storage for the disadvantaged instead? Increased road tax for households with multiple cars would be better targeted than punishing the elderly and infirm who are unable to cycle or walk. The blunt LTN instrument whacks all drivers, including electric vehicles generating no emissions or taxis taking people to hospital. I’d welcome proper segregated cycle routes rather than blocking all side-streets. A well-intentioned policy has resulted in multiple unintended consequences all over London. Labour councils have been the most ardent adopters of “active travel”. But I fear that ploughing on regardless endangers votes and council seats amidst accusations of arrogance. Tory Wandsworth has withdrawn all LTNs. Harrow and Redbridge U-turned on certain schemes after pressure. It’s been claimed that the policy was a Dominic Cummings wheeze to make people detest their Labour councils. The Tory London Mayoral candidate has exploited the issue – notwithstanding that it’s a Grant Shapps’ policy. If something alienates people and creates more problems than it solves, it sounds wrong to me. But let’s test it. For consent you need to consult. I propose that whenever the trial period for each scheme ends, a referendum should be held. Only that way can we see if it really is just a “vocal minority” opposed, as is constantly claimed. Now that’s what I call the will of the people. Rupa Huq is Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton
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