Low traffic neighbourhoods, or LTNs, are increasingly being used in London and other cities and countries to reduce through motor traffic in residential areas, aiming also to increase local walking and cycling. This report explains what LTNs are, what they look like, potential impacts and reasons for their introduction, and limits of this intervention. It then considers LTNs in London, and how equitably they are being introduced.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) form a key part of the Streetspace for London programme. LTNs offer a cost-effective way of delivering safe and attractive streets for walking and cycling by preventing through traffic from using residential neighbourhoods to avoid main roads (often known as ‘rat running’), while retaining local access for residents and visitors. This can be achieved by various approaches to design to limit the movement of motor vehicles on certain streets and improving conditions for walking and cycling.
Reallocating roadspace from general traffic, to improve conditions for pedestrians or cyclists or buses or on-street light rail or other high-occupancy vehicles, is often pre- dicted to cause major traffic problems on neighbouring streets. This paper reports on two phases of research, resulting in the examination of over 70 case studies of roadspace reallocation from eleven countries, and the collation of opinions from over 200 transport professionals worldwide.
The following guide offers my thoughts on how we can better shape cities around communities and people, both in emerging cities where this issue is of critical importance, and in developed cities. All cities need to offer the advantages of urban living to more and more people, but have to do so in a way that is best for people, best for the city, and best for society as a whole. Shaping cities around low-traffic neighbourhoods is key to creating inclusive, sustainable, and enjoyable places.
This guide is from London Cycling Campaign and Living Streets and draws on expertise from those who’ve designed, implemented and campaigned for award-winning low traffic neighbourhoods. It is a companion document to “Low traffic neighbourhoods: What, why, how?”, designed to help officers, designers and others begin to understand some of the complexities, nuances and capabilities of these schemes in more detail.
