Councils urged to address problems on boundary roads

Councils must act to improve conditions on boundary roads around LTNs, a study by climate charity Possible and the University of Westminster’s Active Travel Academy concludes. 

This could involve increasing the number of bus lanes and public transport provision, urban greenery, widening pavements, and protected cycle lanes as well as expanding low emission zones.

It is “highly likely” that boundary roads will remain polluted, unsafe, or difficult to cross or cycle on, the report warns. “Removing LTNs is unlikely to alleviate these issues so it is vital for local authorities to consider other measures that could. For instance, expanding low emission zones, road user charging, increasing the number of bus lanes and public transport provision, urban greenery, widening pavements, and protected cycle lanes could all make a contribution.”

Hirra Khan Adeogun, Head of Possible, said: “This report shows that low traffic neighbourhoods are having a verifiable, positive impact for the people living on these streets. But, importantly, it shows that they have no consistent impact on boundary roads. In a climate crisis, we need our policymakers to make bold, data-led decisions; this report gives them that information. What we need now is action to drive down traffic, make our cities happier and healthier, and directly ad-dress the climate crisis.”