The Department for Transport has published draft statutory guidance for councils on low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), setting out that they must gain buy-in from local residents, businesses and emergency services when considering implementing new LTN schemes. The new guidance will come into force this summer. For details see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/crackdown-on-anti-driver-road-schemes-and-blanket-20mph-limits-to-put-local-consent-first
The change in policy is supported by a report on LTNs and these comments: “While the review showed only a quarter of people understood the benefits of LTNs, it also flagged concerns over the impact on disabled residents, high numbers of penalty charge notices, the cost of LTN schemes and even concerns from emergency services that delays to crews caught up in LTNs could “potentially risk lives”. The new guidance aims to prevent councils having to reverse poorly-implemented or locally unpopular schemes – as with recently removed LTNs at Jesmond, Newcastle and Streatham Wells, London”. For the report see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-traffic-neighbourhood-review .
A consultation will also be launched this summer on measures including the removal of local authorities’ access to Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data to enforce such schemes by camera. This would put a stop to councils generating income from camera enforced schemes and is surely to be welcomed.
The DfT have also published new guidance on setting local speed limits – see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits/setting-local-speed-limits . This looks quite reasonable but will TfL or local councils actually pay attention to it? That seems unlikely as they have recently introduced 20 limits on quite inappropriate roads in the name of road safety without any evidence to support their views.
Roger Lawson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Drivers_London
You can “follow” this blog by entering your email address in the box below. You will then receive an email alerting you to new posts as they are added.
I have recently driven to Sidcup from my home in Carshalton LTN most of the way even on major through routes, while around Carshalton again on some through routes Boundary Road and Manor Road there are now 20 MPH signs and road markings popping up overnight like graffiti in the surrounding roads and no consultation with the local populace whatsoever, Sunday I rode down to Brooklands on the motorbike where the subject of LTNs was talked of by many there. It truly is a bad disease one comment being made was a cyclist can go faster than that;
In Sheffield there is an organisation called Brake I am about to write to http://www.brake.org.uk Mary Williams Ceo to express my and many others objections.
Mostly when driving anywhere locally now we have to keep to 2nd gear whether in the car or on the bike to keep below twenty doing the environment and the vehicles no good at all mostly this imposition seems to be another money making scheme.
A separate matter would be why are parents mostly mums without redress allowed at school in and out times not penalised for parking on crossovers zig zag lines and other yellow lines painted on the road around schools and ignoring restriction signs more effort should be devoted to stopping this abuse. It is high time this was stopped.
Regards
Chris