Government issues statutory guidance on implementing low traffic neighbourhoods as research shows mixed picture in terms of impacts

The Department for Transport has issued statutory guidance on implementing low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in England that says a local authority should, via its engagement and consultations, be confident that a scheme is capable of carrying the support of a majority of the community before introducing it.

This followed a review of LTNs’ impact indicating a mixed picture in terms of their measurable impacts in the short term.

Writing in the foreword to the statutory guidance, the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper, said: “The research shows that, while they can work, in the right place, and, crucially, where they are supported, too often local people don’t know enough about them and haven’t been able to have a say.

“Increasingly and frustratingly, we see larger and larger low traffic schemes being proposed by some councils despite concerted opposition by local residents and by local businesses, and in some cases being removed again. This guidance makes it clear that should not happen.”

The Secretary of State added that the statutory guidance also sets out that, even if they are introduced, councils should continue to regularly review low traffic neighbourhoods, “ensuring they keep meeting their objectives, aren’t adversely affecting other areas, and are locally supported”.

He said: “This guidance makes clear our expectations, and I will carefully consider how councils follow it, alongside other appropriate factors, when looking at funding decisions.”

Separately, a consultation will also be launched on targeting the use of DVLA data by councils to enforce substandard LTNs and other “anti-motorist” traffic schemes.

“Ultimately government can make changes to the legal framework if advice is overlooked – although working cooperatively with local councils is by far preferred. We need a fair approach, where local support is paramount, and this guidance sets out how that can be achieved,” the Secretary of State said.

Commissioned in July 2023, the research report undertaken by Ipsos UK found that amongst residents:

• there was low awareness of schemes
• there were mixed views about the impact of LTNs and many residents continued to live with traffic-related problems
• most residents felt schemes had had no impact or weren’t sure
• levels of support for local LTN schemes were higher than levels of awareness and perceived personal impacts.

The researchers also sought the views of stakeholders including officers in local government. They found that:

• stakeholders across the sample felt LTNs were introduced in a rush. They reported limited time for organisations to be consulted and for local authorities to engage properly with residents
• stakeholders in transport related organisations thought there was a disconnect between the transport sector’s views of LTNs and those of the public. Stakeholders felt that LTNs had been introduced with good intentions and the schemes would ultimately benefit local areas
• stakeholders across the sample stressed that they did not yet know the impact of LTNs, nor would they expect to for several years because benefits were perceived to be more long term than short term.

The report said: “While the review of existing evidence showed that LTN schemes have had several positive impacts, albeit with more uncertainty in terms of economic ones, this remains largely unrecognised by stakeholders or residents (in the four scheme areas where survey research was conducted).

“Low awareness of the schemes among residents and uncertainty about benefits, does not automatically translate into widespread opposition. Similarly, stakeholders struggled to point to tangible, positive impacts but expected benefits such as greater sustainable transport use and improved air quality to be realised with more time (although they identified some likely adverse effects too such as potentially greater CO2 emissions if people need to travel longer distances navigating LTNs).”

In some cases, there were tensions between evidence and perceptions, the report said. “For example, the evidence suggests that impacts (positive or negative) on boundary roads are minimal, but residents are more likely than not to think that schemes have added traffic congestion and queues to these nearby roads.”

The report also revealed that stakeholders were worried about the controversial nature of the schemes.

“According to DfT’s survey, objections from residents featured among commonly reported reasons for closing schemes (alongside reported failure to increase active travel to date),” it said.

A survey of local authorities showed multiple engagement activities had been undertaken but stakeholders identified inadequate engagement and communication with residents and affected groups as an important issue. Stakeholders felt this had contributed to LTNs having an image problem, according to the report.

“In summary, this research has found a mixed picture in terms of LTNs’ measurable impacts at least in the short-term plus a degree of uncertainty in terms of perceived impact. These are related factors and underline the importance of collecting robust evidence over time as well as achieving better communications. Being able to demonstrate positive impacts ought to improve the reputation of LTNs. So too would improvements to community engagement, awareness and understanding.”