Lewisham reports falling traffic, speeds and road accidents around LTN

Traffic levels and speeds are continuing to fall on roads inside and around the Lewisham and Lee Green LTN, according to a monitoring report by Lewisham Council. 

Meanwhile, data from Transport for London (TfL) and the police shows a reduction in serious collisions (involving people being killed or injured) on roads within and surrounding the LTN since its introduction in 2020. 

The borough’s analysis found that the LTN has not negatively impacted on air quality in the area, with air quality improving in many locations compared with pre-LTN levels, including on the South Circular Road. 

Bus journey times remain at comparable levels for routes near to the LTN, the study found. 

The scheme was introduced in July 2020 and revised in September 2020 in response to resident feedback. The councils said extensive monitoring has been carried out since 2020 to evaluate the impact of the LTN and assess how it is meeting its key objectives. 

“As the original LTN was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, where car usage was significantly lower, the most accurate way of measuring its impact on traffic levels is through traffic counts on roads within and surrounding the LTN where pre-Covid data is available,” states the council. 

“Overall traffic levels on these roads continue to decrease – with average daily traffic volumes down 46% compared to pre-Covid and pre-LTN levels. On the vast majority of these roads, traffic levels are lower in comparison to pre-Covid and pre-LTN levels.” 

On roads where pre-LTN and pre-Covid data is available, average vehicle speeds have also fallen by an average of 1.5mph, according to the analysis. 

Air quality monitoring data indicates that the LTN has not negatively impacted on air quality in and around the scheme area. NO2 levels have continued to fall, with an average decrease of 9% compared with data from 2021. 

Bus journey times are largely unchanged compared with pre-LTN levels, according to data from Transport for London (TfL). 

Further monitoring will be carried out in 2024 to measure the impact of the LTN in relation to its key aims. “We will also be implementing a new traffic monitoring approach across the borough to improve data collection and help inform future decision-making on transport projects, said the council. 

Other work in the borough to cut traffic, improve air quality and support active travel includes the roll-out of the Sustainable Streets programme to improve parking management and install sustainable transport measures. 

The council said it is investing £3.2m in pavement repairs and road resurfacing to help pedestrians and cyclists, and using £1.6m of funding from TfL for new cycle infrastructure, more pedestrianised streets and additional traffic calming measures. 

Other measures include more electric vehicle charging points, more cycle hangars and better management of dockless hire bikes. 

It has also pledged to plant more street trees across the borough to improve air quality and create greener and healthier streets for local residents.  

Lewisham and Lee Monitoring Update