Ealing Council has confirmed a series of recommendations to improve Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN)s in the borough following an interim assessment of the trial schemes last month (December 2020).

Bollards currently used to prevent through traffic will be replaced with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras as a means of enforcing the trial schemes and an exemption will be given for blue badge holders in the LTN they live in. Council authorised vehicles transporting people with mobility impairment would also be given access to LTNs. 

The council has used Experimental Traffic Orders (ETO) to implement LTNs. The council published an interim assessment of the borough’s LTNs in December to ensure feedback from residents and emergency services was used to help improve the schemes where necessary. 

As the council’s interim assessment has led to significant changes being implemented to the borough’s LTNs, the law requires that a new or revised ETO be made. Following implementation of an LTN a six-month consultation period is held to gather people’s views.

Feedback from residents made under the previous ETO will be taken into consideration during the final assessment of the new one. 

The interim assessment of the borough’s LTNs considered surveys, data and ongoing feedback from local people and the emergency services.

The following changes include:

• Replacing bollards with CCTV enforcement in LTNs, as part of the ongoing consultation with emergency services. Bollards will be replaced at 21 locations between 18 January and 8 February 2021
• Providing blue badge holders with access through LTNs within the scheme they live in where there are CCTV enforcement measures
• Providing access for council authorised vehicles transporting people with mobility impairment through LTNs where there are CCTV enforcement measures
• Moving the location of barriers in LTN 48: Adrienne Avenue to keep larger vehicles accessing the trading estate off smaller residential roads
• Carrying out further traffic surveys within LTN 21: West Ealing South and LTN 20: West Ealing North, and considering changes to the current design
• Reviewing the advanced warning signage in some LTNs  

There have been a number of proposals to improve LTNs in the borough and further consultation with residents will take place before any changes are made to existing trial schemes.

Eligible Blue Badge holders are being contacted by the council via a letter with details of how to register for an exemption. Please continue to follow LTN restrictions until you have received confirmation of your registration from the council.

The interim assessment of Ealing’s LTNs is part of an ongoing consultation process to give local people the chance to help shape the future of the projects and consider any changes that need to be made to improve the schemes in real time.

Every LTN is then subject to a second, final assessment in the last month of the trial which will make a recommendation on whether to make it permanent. It will consider additional data gathered over a longer period, including air quality and impact on local businesses, as well as the feedback from residents over the entire trial period.

Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for environment and climate action said: “It has always been intended to closely monitor trial LTNs and listen closely to the views and feedback of residents, as well as considering the data on how they are working.

“The interim assessment of our LTNs allowed us to consider carefully what is working and what can be improved and where necessary make significant changes to the schemes, ahead of a final decision on their long-term future.

“LTNs are designed as part of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate pressure on our roads and public transport. They aim to create quieter, safer neighbourhoods for local people, promote cycling and walking as an alternative to short car journeys and help us improve air quality in the borough and tackle the climate emergency.

“We recognise that there are strong opinions on LTNs, both for and against and although they were rapidly introduced to meet government funding requirements, we want to ensure everyone has their say, as this feedback will be used to help shape the projects going forward.”

• The council’s Commonplace website gives residents a platform to have their say on every LTN being trialled in the borough.