LTNs for all? Mapping the extent of London's new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

Low traffic neighbourhoods are increasingly being used in London to reduce through motor traffic in residential areas, also aiming to increase local walking and active travel. 

Our report with our partners the Active Travel Academy maps the extent of London’s new LTNs (the ones implemented between March - September 2020) - their implementation, potential, and limitations. Here’s what we found:

• LTNs are low cost and easy to install. 

• LTNs can help rapidly transform the character of urban spaces, making us all rethink what, and who, public space is for.

• Approximately nine out of ten Londoners across all different income and ethnicity groups live on residential streets that could benefit from LTNs.

• They have great potential to benefit people without easy access to greenspace or places to play and socialise safely.

• LTNs can help us reach our environmental goals.

• Where LTNs might not suit main roads, other schemes, like protected cycleways, green buffers, and more pedestrian crossings are good ways to deal with the harm caused by traffic on those.

• Clean Air Zones are another option which can help increase air quality on our streets.

The report concludes that boroughs without LTNs introduce them, prioritising developments of LTNs that will benefit people living without access to private or public green space.