Research into Lambeth’s LTNs shows residents drove less after implementation

Academics from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine have been studying the effects of the Lambeth Low Traffic Neighborhood schemes which was launched in 2020. Specifically they examined how residents’ driving habits had changed.

Postcode and numberplate data from controlled parking zones, were matched to annual MOT records from the two years prior to the LTNs’ implementation to the two years following it.

The results indicated that residents living inside the new LTNs drove 0.7km a day less while residents outside the LTNs only drove 0.6km more. This represents a 6.4% decrease in car usage for residents within the LTNS. 

Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said: ‘This is the first major study to consider how low traffic neighbourhoods can help change peoples’ behaviour, so they are less reliant on their cars.

‘We are delighted that an independent study carried out by experts in their fields shows our approach is having an effect and an overall six percent reduction is significant.’

Lambeth Council has invested £16million in improving its transport infrastructure including new Healthy Routes to make it easier and safer for people to cycle around the borough.

The recently announced Kerbside Strategy will see the council reclaim around a quarter of its kerbside space – the area between the road and kerb – that is normally used for car parking. Instead, space will be created for social or community use.

The research concluded: ‘Notably, our outcome measure captures total past-year driving, including trips that the Lambeth LTNs are less likely to impact (e.g., inter-city trips, or travel outside London). It is plausible that for shorter and more local trips the relative decrease in LTN residents’ driving would be greater than the estimated 6% decrease in total past-year driving. This suggests that, in Lambeth and other similar inner-city areas, widespread roll-out of LTNs could make an important contribution towards reducing how much residents drive, and towards reducing local volumes of motor traffic.’

Photo: Matt Seymour