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.