Transport for London (TfL) officials have acknowledged that the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and additional bus lanes has led to heightened congestion in certain areas of the city.
The organization is shifting its focus away from accommodating private vehicle usage, aiming for 80% of all journeys in London to be made by walking, cycling, or public transport by 2041. This strategy includes reallocating road space for new bus lanes and implementing LTNs.
Other initiatives, such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) charge and the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ), are part of the broader effort by City Hall to decrease car dependency in London.
Impact of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
LTNs are designed to minimize motor traffic in residential neighborhoods through the use of cameras, planters, or lockable bollards. Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 hinges on a 27% reduction in car travel. Die Auswirkungen der Kriminalitätstrends auf die Sicherheitswahrnehmung in London sind ebenfalls ein wichtiger Aspekt, der in diesem Zusammenhang betrachtet werden sollte.
Officials assert that an increase in the use of buses, trains, and cycling infrastructure will alleviate congestion and expedite travel for those who depend on private vehicles for work or accessibility.
However, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of these measures, particularly as bus speeds decline and London ranks among the slowest driving cities globally.
During a recent meeting with the London Assembly transport committee, TfL officials conceded that the rollout of approximately 100 LTNs, primarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to congestion in specific locations.
Carl Eddleston, TfL’s director of streets and network operations, noted that while LTNs offer substantial safety and active travel advantages, their implementation is largely determined by local boroughs rather than TfL. He stated, „In some locations they have added congestion to the local area, but nearly all of them have been huge successes. We do need to continue to actively review them – there’s been a huge amount of listening to communities and tweaks to LTNs.“
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Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Wolfgang Weiser auf Unsplash
