Fifteen campaign groups have joined forces for the first time to call for ‘strict’ new rules for councils seeking to introduce low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
The organisations, most of which hail from London boroughs, have all campaigned against what they call ‘badly designed and socially unjust’ LTNs in their areas.
In a letter to transport secretary Heidi Alexander, they issued a joint call for a ‘strict regulatory framework’ so that councils ‘cannot implement or maintain schemes that do not have community support’.
They said: ‘The Department for Transport (DfT) has always said that traffic schemes like LTNs are a matter for local authorities and should be developed through engagement with local communities.
‘However, our experience is that local authorities often impose schemes that don't have the backing of local people – in many cases after public consultations showing that two-thirds or more wanted them removed. This has eroded trust in local government.’
A DfT spokesperson said: ‘As is longstanding policy, local authorities are best placed to decide what traffic management schemes are appropriate, but they should always be developed through engagement with local communities.
‘There are no plans to change this.’
