London council denies airbrushing' opposition to controversial LTN

"Greenwich Council has denied claims it airbrushed evidence of public opposition in reports concerning a contentious Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme. The South London authority also firmly rejected the notion that the consultation for the West and East Greenwich Neighbourhood Management scheme was biased, undemocratic or secretive. The council implemented the first stage of the LTN scheme in November 2024, trialling the project in an attempt to reduce traffic and improve air quality in two residential areas in Greenwich."

"The scheme uses camera enforced filters to prevent cars from travelling within the two areas between 7am to 10am and from 3pm to 7pm on weekdays. Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) are issued to drivers picked up by the filters. Greenwich Council moved to make the scheme permanent last October after it found the scheme decreased traffic throughout the entire area by 6 per cent and air quality in the LTN areas had slightly improved."

"The approval decision was called in by two councillors for further discussion at a scrutiny committee in November where several residents both for and against the scheme spoke. Those in favour were generally residents living within the LTN areas who felt the scheme has made roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Those opposed tended to be residents who lived outside the scheme areas, particularly in Charlton, who believed the traffic restrictions had just pushed the traffic onto their roads instead."

Greenwich Council denied claims it airbrushed evidence of public opposition and rejected suggestions the West and East Greenwich consultation was biased or secretive. The council implemented the first stage of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in November 2024, using camera-enforced filters to prevent cars in the two areas during weekday morning and evening peaks. Penalty Charge Notices are issued to caught drivers. The council found a 6 per cent traffic reduction across the area and slight air quality improvements, and moved to make the scheme permanent. A scrutiny committee heard residents for and against the scheme. A statutory consultation ran from December 3 to January 7 and a 66-page report was published to support the necessary Traffic Management Order.

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