New reports reveal big drops in traffic levels and collisions but small increases in air pollution during the two-year LTN trial periods, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Planters restricting traffic in the St Ann’s LTN

Haringey Council has confirmed that three low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) trials across the borough are set to be made permanent.

The council announced that it plans to make the St Ann’s, Bounds Green and Bruce Grove and West Green LTNs permanent subject to final cabinet approval next week.

The LTNs were first installed in 2022 and form part of the civic centre’s ‘streets for people’ programme, aiming to reduce overall traffic levels, reduce air pollution and encourage people to walk, cycle and wheel in cleaner air and safer streets.

According to the council, independently monitored and analysed data showed an average fall in collisions of 34% across all three LTNs with collisions also reduced on boundary roads.

Big drops in traffic levels within the LTN areas were accompanied by “minimal” 3% average traffic increases along boundary roads. In total, 80,000 fewer vehicles were counted per day across the schemes as a whole.

The data on air pollution was far less conclusive, however, with only one of the three LTNs recording a drop overall, and small increases of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) being recorded in and around the other two LTNs – although these were said to be “statistically insignificant”.

For the St Ann’s LTN, traffic levels fell 57% on internal roads and rose 5% on surrounding roads, while there were rises in NO2 air pollution recorded on both internal (3.2%) and boundary roads (1%) relative to external recording sites.

For the Bounds Green LTN, traffic levels fell 66% on internal roads and rose 2% on boundary roads, while there were increases in NO2 air pollution recorded on both internal (0.2%) and surrounding roads (2.7%) relative to external recording sites.

For the Bruce Grove and West Green LTN, traffic levels fell 51% on internal roads and rose 3% on surrounding roads, while there were decreases in NO2 air pollution recorded on both internal (4.5%) and boundary roads (2.3%) relative to external recording sites.

Introduced on an ‘experimental’ basis in 2022, the three LTNs have proved divisive, facing stiff opposition and protest as well as significant support during their trials.

Back in January, residents of Belmont Road, which sits just outside the Bruce Grove and West Green LTN, said that while they supported the principles of the scheme they struggled living with its effects of “increased air pollution” caused by congestion and diverted traffic which they also said caused “damage” to parked cars.

But campaign group Living Streets Haringey said for “many years” residents across the borough had been asking for such schemes.

Alex Davies, a parent who lives in St Ann’s, said it was “really important” the “positive effect” of the scheme was recognised. He described how, before the St Ann’s LTN was implemented, two children from Chestnuts Primary School on La Rose Lane were hit by cars.

He said: ”The streets were overwhelmed with speeding vehicles, and drivers often ignored zebra crossings […] The changes brought about by the schemes have made a significant difference in St Ann’s.”

Louise Wass, from Living Streets Haringey, has welcomed the news the LTNs will be made permanent. She said: “For many years, residents across the borough have been calling on the council to deliver safer streets. We need more and safer spaces to encourage people to walk, wheel and scoot.

“The evidence from these trials is clear, these schemes have met their aims, we look forward to seeing more leadership and delivery from the council in this area.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Scott Emery was less enthusiastic but still agreed with the move. On behalf of the group, he said: “We cautiously welcome the decision to make these three LTNs permanent.

“More clearly needs to be done to improve air pollution in these highly polluted areas, and to create better infrastructure for walking and cycling, but the initial data on traffic reduction and residents shifting to other forms of transport is encouraging.”

Mike Hakata, cabinet member for climate action, environment, and transport, said: “The schemes are creating better streets for people, but there is more we can do.”

On boundary road traffic levels having risen in some areas around the LTNs, Cllr Hakata said these were “generally falling back toward pre-LTN level” but added the council was aware there were “hotspots” that needed “dealing with”.

He added a “comprehensive programme of improvements” including enhanced pedestrian crossings, more protected cycle lanes, and congestion reduction measures was “underway”.

Cllr Hakata added the council had listened “carefully” to feedback and in a bid to be “fair”, introduced “extensive exemptions” and made changes to schemes following feedback.

He said: “We’ve worked closely with our disabled community and other local communities to review and refine our exemptions, and we will continue to do so to make sure our schemes are fair and effective.”

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