Proposals for low-traffic schemes unveiled

Two of the borough’s planned LTNs are in Tottenham, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

Borough residents are being asked to have their say on plans to introduce three traffic-reduction schemes, including two in Tottenham.

Haringey Council wants those living and working in and near to proposed low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in Bruce Grove, St Ann’s and Bounds Green to share their feedback on the final designs.

It claims the schemes will improve air quality, reduce traffic levels, and enable safer walking and cycling.

LTNs are designed to stop rat-running by closing residential streets to through traffic, while allowing access for residents and businesses.

Such schemes have proved controversial in some areas, including in a neighbouring part of Enfield borough, where opposition councillors have repeatedly called for its removal after claiming traffic has been pushed on to surrounding roads and caused delays. One of the LTN schemes planned in Haringey will border Enfield Council’s scheme in Bowes Park.

Mike Hakata, Haringey’s cabinet member for environment, transport and the climate emergency, said the council had “learnt from the introduction of LTNs elsewhere” and was “determined that residents, who know their areas best, will be able to tell us what works and what doesn’t work”.

The council unveiled Haringey’s three proposed LTN schemes in February and launched a survey on local traffic issues and what improvements the community wanted to see. It has also held design workshops and claims to have been in regular contact with emergency services so their feedback could be taken into consideration. 

Measures the council is consulting on include the location and design of road closures and restricted access points, secure cycle parking locations, new school streets and additional pedestrian crossings.  The consultation will run until Friday, 17th September. There is also a survey to find out the views of disabled people and their carers, which will run until Wednesday, 1st September.

The results will be considered by the council’s cabinet in October before a final decision on whether to go ahead with the projects. LTNs that are approved will be rolled out on a trial basis, allowing the council to make changes to the schemes as it receives feedback.

For more information about the proposed LTNs: Visit haringey.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/travel/transport-strategy/low-traffic-neighbourhoods-haringey/low-traffic-neighbourhoods-public-consultation