Haringey's second LTN trial to launch next week

Dozens of streets in South Tottenham and Harringay included in borough’s latest traffic-reduction scheme
By Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

The St Ann’s LTN will utilise traffic enforcement cameras rather than physical barriers

A low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) trial will see residential streets between South Tottenham and Harringay closed to through motor traffic.

The St Ann’s LTN, covering dozens of streets between Green Lanes, St Ann’s Road, Seven Sisters Road, Tottenham High Road and West Green Road, will launch on Monday, 22nd August.

Approved by Haringey Council’s cabinet in December last year, it is the second LTN trial to be launched this month following the introduction of a similar scheme in Bounds Green on 15th August.

Eight traffic filters, enforced using cameras rather than physical barriers, will be used to stop non-residential traffic from passing through the St Ann’s LTN. Residents and businesses will still be allowed access to their streets, although the scheme’s design means some may need to change their routes.

Exemptions will allow a range of groups, including disabled Blue Badge holders, emergency services and transport services for those with special educational needs and disabilities, to travel through the filters. Those driving through the filters without an exemption could be fined up to £130.

A consultation held by the council last year revealed 68% of respondents in the St Ann’s LTN area were in favour of traffic reduction, while a quarter were against. More than three-fifths (62%) responded positively to the LTN design that the council is implementing, while just under a third (32%) responded negatively.

Concerns raised during the consultation included the potential for the scheme to increase traffic on boundary roads, create more pollution and be used as a money-making tool by the council.

In response, the council denied the LTN was designed to raise revenue and said the aims were to reduce traffic and improve air quality, although it admitted it was unable to predict exactly what the impacts of the scheme will be.

The LTN trial will run for a period of up to 18 months, after which the council will decide whether to amend the scheme, remove it, or make it permanent. Mike Hakata, deputy leader of Haringey Council and cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport, has pledged to listen to residents and consider traffic and air quality data before reaching a decision.

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