Ealing scraps Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Street

Ealing Council has ended the trial West Ealing South Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN 21) and promises local people will have the final say on control measures in their communities.  

The move follows a decision by the London Borough of Hounslow to close Swyncombe Avenue for a period of two months. Swyncombe Avenue, which is the key southern link between Hounslow and Ealing on the southern border of the LTN, is closing to eastbound traffic for at least two months for road works.

Ealing Council said this closure made LTN 21 unworkable.

The council acknowledged that implementation of LTNs has caused significant division within local communities. There are areas of Hanwell and West Ealing where local support remains for active travel measures. Long-term plans to encourage active travel are at risk of failure in the future if they do not achieve community support.

The council said it will be looking to consult on smaller sections of LTN 21 that local people have told it are successful. Residents will be consulted before implementation, and nothing will be installed until after local residents have had the final say.

Local people have been promised a final say on the trial schemes. This will be achieved via a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) style consultation on each LTN in the borough, keeping schemes that work and are supported, and removing those that do not.

Ealing Council’s new Labour leader Peter Mason said: “Ealing Council promised to listen to local people’s views on active travel initiatives like LTNs, and we have done just that. The decision on LTN 21 has been brought forward because of the closure of Swyncombe Avenue.

“Remaining LTNs will be subject to a CPZ style consultation, with a vote for local people on whether they think the LTNs will work in their neighbourhoods.

“I’ve pledged that the council I lead will be open, transparent and inclusive. That means being honest about what works and what doesn’t. This decision is about giving local people control over change in their neighbourhoods.”

Ealing Council’s new leadership said it is committed to active travel and tackling climate change, with School Streets, cycling infrastructure and low traffic neighbourhoods are forming part of its agenda to tackle the climate emergency.