TfL 'suppressed report showing LTNs don't cut car use'

"TfL, which is under Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's control, chose not to publish a University of Westminster study after it found the controverisal traffic relocation schemes helped to increase cycling but failed to encourage people to drive less or walk more, according to the Times."

"Emails between Transport for London (TfL) and the university show that officials were concerned about the report's results coming out, the newspaper reported."

"An official is said to reminded others in one email that all of this stuff is FoI-able (available under freedom of information laws) before reassuring them that no one outside TfL yet knew about the study."

"The failure to publish is a serious omission because it could have helped inform decision-makers. Councils and local councillors often support LTNs because they believe or are told that they are green and help reduce air pollution but this study hugely undermines that argument."

Transport for London suppressed a University of Westminster study that found Low Traffic Neighbourhoods increased cycling but did not reduce car use or encourage more walking. Emails between TfL and the university showed officials worried about the results and discussed presenting findings positively before deciding not to publish. Funding for the three-year, £82,095 project was withdrawn after two years. TfL said the data failed to offer sufficient new insights despite the finding that LTNs did not reduce car use. Critics said withholding the research undermined evidence-based policymaking and deprived councils and councillors of important information.

Read at www.standard.co.uk