Lambeth Council has no money for new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in the borough – but it won’t rule out new schemes being introduced. Brixton Hill has been identified as a priority for the Labour Council.
In a pre-prepared response to a question put forward by Cllr Fred Cowell for Full Council on 14th October, Deputy Leader Cllr Claire Holland confirms:
“The popularity of our emergency Low Traffic Neighbourhood programme has led to us being inundated with requests from different parts of the borough for their neighbourhoods to be added.
The existing emergency LTNs and other interventions already implemented as part of our emergency response to Covid-19 still require significant staff resources so that we can ensure ongoing benefits are realised.
The only funding currently available for transport measures is emergency funding through the Mayor’s Streetspace programme and the government. This funding is tied to emergency measures specified by the government and the GLA.
Unfortunately, therefore at the current time we are unable to commit to any further LTNs but will keep this under review as resources allow.”
Cllr Cowell is keen to push for LTN’s to be introduced around Peran Road (SW2), Chestnut Road (SE27), Rosendale Road (SE27) and Gurnsey Grove (SE24) in his Thurlow Park ward.
Brixton Hill and Streatham Wells are high on the agenda for the Council to roll out the next LTNs – should the funding become available.
Cllr Holland will tell Full Council next week:
“The delivery of a second Low Traffic Neighbourhood in the Brixton Hill ward remains a priority as set out in our Covid-19 response strategy.
We will now monitor the impacts of this scheme and work with the community to resolve any immediate issues that arise so that the benefits can be widely shared across the area.”
Lambeth has rolled out five LTNs during the COVID pandemic. These are in:
Oval Triangle
Railton
Ferndale
Streatham Hill and
Tulse Hill.
The aim is to stop passing traffic and make the roads available for access only. The routes remain open for cyclists and pedestrians.
Some residents living in LTNs have been critical of the scheme. A protest took place outside Lambeth Town Hall last month.
Meanwhile the Controlled Parking Zone consultation in the borough appears to be on hold. Funding is once again an issue for the Labour Council.
In a response to a question put forward by Cllr Ben Kind, Cllr Holland’s will update Full Council:
“Funding to support this piece of work was anticipated from TfL in 2020/21 but given the dire financial straits that TfL are in due to a wholly inadequate government settlement, this is not currently available.”
A final transport theme at Full Council will be raised by Green Cllr Nicole Griffiths. She has submitted a question to Cllr Holland asking for an update on the promised Citizen’s Assembly to address climate change in the borough.
Cllr Holland’s response will explain how residents can provide feedback on climate change in the borough:
“This information will feed into the Citizen’s Assembly, which will take place as soon as it is safe to do so and will also help inform our ongoing climate work.”
The Labour group announced in June 2019 that a Citizen’s Assembly would be set up in the borough to ’empower’ residents in response to the climate emergency.
Full Council will take place online at 7pm on 14th October. The Council’s Democratic Services Twitter feed should provide a link nearer the date.
The Ferndale LTN has been in place for three months now. This is Ferndale Road last Friday night: https://youtu.be/5WhblEOVqNs. But by Saturday the “ongoing benefits” of our LTN were really being realised: https://youtu.be/3-5sEPVI9p0. Seriously though, the council has moved the “rat runs” from the places they used to be — at the behest of a well-organised “vocal minority” in those areas — to other places that were less well organised and vocal, and just plain unsuspecting. Or perhaps the council’s plan is to create other main roads. I just hope that the council has budgeted for the compensation claims that will be possible in due course.
The hell it’s just starting.
I do believe someone is telling porky pies . I do wonder if the council takes on board the disruption and division they have caused.
Our ward ferndale has been adversely effected . Before the LTN , I don’t think the majority of residents had any major concern about the roads we live on or use . Each road took an equal amount of traffic , allowing everyone to move around . Now Ferndale road , has become a nightmare , traffic is intense , people rushing to get up it , traffic getting stuck , ambulances getting stuck , police having to park up to chase people as they can’t get through , arguments . And it’s not all because we are lunatics , it’s simply because our council that one road should have no traffic and the other can take all the traffic , great you may think , but the reality is it’s not, people still have to live .
Businesses in the ferndale ward suffering because of it . Deliveries from surrounding businesses are also suffering . And dare I say it , cyclist are finding that using main roads are harder due to the heavy traffic being pushed on them .
Pollution pushing more car use onto some roads so some have less … is this fair .
A scheme that has been bullied through , by people that have no wish to think of the difficulties that everyday people occur . There’s a lot of nodding heads when you meet or get to hear from them but the mantra from the council is basically bike it , suck it up and just get on with it .
They have lost my vote
I HAVE SEEN THE ARGUMENTS, THE FRUSTRATION FELT BY PEOPLE USING FERNDALE ROAD AND INFORMED MEMBERS OF OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH GROUP.
WE HAVE ISSUES REGARDING THE SCHEME DUMPED ON US AROUND HOLMEWOOD GARDENS/ BRIXTON HILL.
IN AN EMAIL I REMINDED PEOPLE OF LOCAL ELECTIONS COMING UP AND THAT WE DID NOT WANT TO LOSE SUPPORTERS AND FUTURE VOTERS FOR A LABOUR LAMBETH
NOW YOU HAVE SOMEONE STATING THEY WILL NOT VOTE LABOUR!!
I CERTAINLY WILL NOT BE RUNNING AROUND FOR THE PARTY IN LAMBETH UNTIL IT SEES SENSE WITH REGARDS TO THESE LTNs.
THEY ARE DIVISIVE AND CAUSE MORE POLLUTION AND PROBLEMS.
GET RID OF THEM!!
MARION SCHUMANN
HOLMEWOOD GARDENS/ BRIXTON HILL
What a load of crap !! Scrap the LTN your making people lives miserable reverse your decision we can still get on with the cyclists movement !!!! Long term your making Lambeth residents unhappy 😡 !!!!
Lambeth you have blighted Ferndale Road, The Bedford Road end is now carnage with the increased traffic .You will suffer at the next local elections as lots of people are really unhappy with LTN.
I think who so ever plan this is evil to the cor…they have no . Consideration for public non consideration for those in business you can’t can’t push everyone on the main road it’s just chaos talking about covid- distancing the council has no idea what they’re doing the guy making the decision his wife must be beating him at night that he can come and make these decision causing stress and anger among the community this is the easiest way for people to get ill with the stress whoever made the decision should be charged with criminal act
It is of no surprise that this is such a partisan article and brushes over the concerns and issues raised by local people and LTN’s. The council might have been inundated with responses but I seriously doubt it’s to request their very own travel nightmare. Let’s face it Shambeth Labour have been caught lying so many times its hard to believe anything they say about pretty much anything.
The Ferndale scheme is beyond ludicrous and has increased pollution and danger to disabled people like me. I can’t just hop on a bike, attending hospital appointments are taking much much longer and as a pedestrian I genuinely feel scared walking on Bedford Rd because the traffic is so bad cyclists are using the pavement and people running give not one blip about social distancing. I’m wobbly and last time I went I felt it was only a matter of time before I’ll either be pushed or fall into an extremely busy road. Only good thing is that I hope people will think before they vote and stop automatically voting for a party that essentially dislikes the community its supposed to serve!
The majority of locals don’t have a car and are seeing great benefits already. As a driver I don’t mind changing my route slightly for a good cause. Other more selfish drivers allied to comment negatively on every post they can find. It’s a small minority making a lot of noise. A bit sad for our rest of the community.
If your road that you live in had been turned from a residential street into a main road like Ferndale Road you would also be vocal .
Having everyone’s else’s traffic forced down your street is not on .
Joshua, you’re not the Ferndale ward councillor Joshua, are you? Whether you are or not, lots of people on Ferndale Road don’t drive (like you — possibly on our road?) but object very strongly to having Ferndale turned into a main road. We are complaining because we’ve lost clean air, quietness, safety (motorbikes on pavements anyone?), property value, good neighbourly relations, and so on. So since you drive, Joshua, how about we put the rat run down your road, past your house? I’m sure you wouldn’t feel sad about that.
Josh, not the useless Shambeth Labour Ferndale cllr Josh by any chance? You seem to be regurgitating Shambeths talking points. You know what I find beyond sad…an incompetent administration that gets off on ludicrous unwanted and unnecessary schemes whilst leaving tenants of council housing sitting in asbestos filled properties that they have no idea about. I find it more than sad that lanlords can dump mattresses and rubbish on the street with impunity in the sure knowledge that the council will do absolutely nothing. It’s also beyond sad that despite years of reporting there continues to be an an issue with anti social behaviour with street drinkers and open drug dealing on Acre Lane.
You have hit the nail on the head.
The small minority making a lot of noise.
I wasn’t commenting on that specific street. Please delete my comment. Thanks.
So many NIMBYs 🙁
Claire Holland is delusional, dishonest and and deceitful to say the least. Keeps rambling on about how popular these LTN’s are but all I see is anger and increased pollution in other neighbourhoods where traffic that had been spread around is now being condensed onto other roads. Not to mention the extended journey times as people who live in some of these areas often have to travel the long way around to get to their own homes.
Is anyone measuring the increased pollution levels on the streets the traffic is being channelled onto. For the first time in over 20 years I am have breathing problems twice on roads where I have never before experienced them.
I think the new LTN is really great! I live in the Holmewood Gardens area – and traffic here has been a menace, with drivers speeding through the area at 40mph+ (I’ve seen a small child come within inches of getting hit by a car right outside my house). I think it’s brilliant that these roads were turned back into residential streets (and not rat runs for speeding drivers). I’m a driver myself – and I think the marginally increased travel times are more than worth it. Since the LTN was introduced, the speeding has stopped and the whole area feels safer and more welcoming (apart from the occasional angry email from a disgruntled driver). Lambeth, keep up the good work – and ignore the grumpy minority commenting on articles like this – who resent change of any kind. You can’t please everyone – and residential streets should be residential.
If people think its bad now just wait until winter sets in. These LTNs aren’t going to solve pollution problems, they are exasperating them. How is it good for the environment to spend twice as long stuck in traffic? Start stop technology won’t work for cars idle in traffic when heating is on, so pollution will inevitably increase. Moreover, as a a cyclist and driver, seasonal cyclists who were happy to cycle in the summer simply won’t once winter sets in – fact! So please explain the benefit? Most people walk or ride if they can, so this is an unnecessary measure. Also, I hate the use or the terminology rat-runs; drivers aren’t rodents so find a better metaphor. The trips are short cuts plain and simple, but because you want to associate negative connotations with the practice you prefer to refer to humans as rodents- aka pests.