News on Streatham Hill Low Traffic Neighbourhood

Thank you to all that attended this session on 25/08/21. See questions and answers below:

Parking

Why not make the railway side of the road double yellow lines all the way on LV?

We are considering parking restrictions in response to feedback received. We will need to consider parking demand as part of this process. Stage 2 monitoring data will shortly be available and this will include further traffic counts and impact analysis.

LV PARKING SPACES Q - in terms of limiting parking spaces - I have seen when the parking spaces/count was done - it was middle of the winter in full lockdown when school was closed and many people decided to isolate outside London - it was dead empty here - instead can you compare it during the busy time or compare the number of spaces with number of cars registered here?

We are conducting three, rigorous stages of monitoring, at different times of the year and at stages of the scheme where it has been given time to settle. We have a pre-Covid baseline that we reconcile our data against.

Traffic/displacement

Surely that would just make Leigham Court Road and Streatham Common North even worse?

Our monitoring data has shown that despite congestion being higher at certain points of the day, overall traffic volumes are down. Over time we expect this trend to continue as more people alter travel behaviour.

These issues are due to the LTN shunting all the through traffic down roads like Leigham Vale - any chance you might recognise that and remove the LTN road blocks if residents are against the LTN remaining?

The aim of the LTNs is to reduce overall traffic; stage 2 monitoring data will reveal insights into how effective this is. Whilst we value local community feedback, this is a borough- and city-wide issue, and the final decision will be made by the joint cabinet members for Sustainable Transport, Environment and Clean Air.

Why is it acceptable to consider closing Valley Road off to through traffic and not Leigham Vale?

Firstly, LTNs need to be a manageable size. Secondly, Leigham Vale is considered a natural boundary road because of the adjacent railway line. We are planning for traffic reduction across the wider area and expect Leigham Vale traffic to decrease with the introduction of measures on Valley Road. Lastly, Valley Road is complemented by more arterial roads than Leigham Vale, namely Streatham High Road and Leigham Court Road.

How can we be supportive of an LTN which has increased congestion, idling cars and antisocial driving behaviour right outside a school ... Hitherfield, on LV, where the children actually spend their day (rather than on the now silent ABCD roads in Streatham Hill!)  We need to see your solutions asap, to know this critical issue is being taken seriously.

We are maintaining communication with representatives from Hitherfield School and welcome their input into how we can make the road safer. For more information please refer to the Stage 2 data, including air quality modelling.

There is no sign of traffic reducing on LV & LCR. This LTN has been implemented for a year and the traffic has increased on these roads by 50%. There’s been inadequate monitoring of traffic & pollution. What are you doing to compensate residents and children that attend schools on these roads for the severe impact on their health & loss of value to their property in the apparent interim & how is it ethical to experiment with people’s lives in this way?

LTNs are part of our borough-wide traffic reduction strategy. Travel behaviour takes time to change. The schemes are being implemented to improve public health through three primary channels; firstly, reducing overall traffic volumes so air quality improves. Secondly, reduced traffic volumes and speeds, especially in residential areas, will reduce the chance of individuals suffering accidents. Third, by encouraging active travel, the population should naturally become fitter, and an attendant improvement in mental wellbeing – as extensive research has demonstrated – will follow. Please refer to the Stage 2 monitoring data for more detail. It’s worth noting that traffic volumes are trending downward.

How do Lambeth propose to enforce the 7.5T weight limit on roads as this would help with traffic issues. FOI’s for the existing camera car in Streatham show that there are multiple repeat offenders, so clearly the fines are not having the desired effect

Our first priority is to reduce vandalism to the cameras and signage, as this encourages a lack of compliance as well as making enforcement more difficult. We have been collecting data on HGV traffic volume across the LTN and will use this to make recommendations.

Air quality

How does improved (rather than reduced) traffic flow improve air quality for Leigham Vale residents (and pupils at Hitherfield school) in the long term? Still feels like a two tier system.

We need to look at air quality as a whole, on a broader scale. This is being covered by Stage 2 monitoring, and the data will be made publicly available.

Safety

What about reduced levels of incidents injuring pedestrians and cyclists?

A recent study has shown that pedestrian casualties (deaths and serious injuries) have drastically decreased within LTNs across London, since the introduction of the scheme. See https://findingspress.org/article/25633-impacts-of-2020-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-in-london-on-road-traffic-injuries for more detailed information.

General

Are other solutions being considered (rather than just removing parking) ... e.g. making LV one way with a cycle lane (esp for school kids) ... we are not traffic experts, we can only flag potential outcomes of proposed changes, rather than create holistic solutions that consider all the many variables

We are looking at any viable solution that could improve safety and public health. This is why we are keen to engage with residents, whose opinions are valued given their familiarity with the areas where we have LTNs. Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, buildouts, and width restrictions are being considered for LV.

I walk in the ABCD area every morning. Anecdotally, I see plenty of families walking and cycling on their way to school / work.

This is encouraging. Hopefully this will proliferate within and outside the LTNs as we make our transport network as accessible as possible for as many as possible, whilst considering public health and environmental impacts.

Why can't you make these LTN's time sensitive as in Dulwich, or use ANPR to enable residents to drive normally as they use in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Please refer to the exemptions policy for more detail on where exemptions may be granted. Regarding timed closures, these are possible and the consultation will capture views on this.

How is it ethical to increase pollution on our roads & outside of our schools? What have you done to negate the impact on our health & are you going to compensate us for the increased traffic, noise and pollution?

The LTNs are an adopted policy from the current government, whose direction has not made any mention of compensation. The schemes are being implemented to improve public health through three primary channels; firstly, reducing overall traffic volumes so air quality improves. Globally, poor air quality reduces the average human’s lifespan by 2.2 years, hence the need to do something. Secondly, reduced traffic volumes and speeds, especially in residential areas, will reduce the chance of individuals suffering accidents. Third, by encouraging active travel, the population should naturally become fitter, and an attendant improvement in mental wellbeing – as extensive research has demonstrated – will follow.

With Romeyn and Rosedene Roads being closed, our building on the corner of Leigham Vale/Knollys Road can't be accessed if approaching from the south via Leigham Court Road. Will exemptions for residents be considered - otherwise we literally cannot access the only gate to our block of flats without taking a massive detour

We are forming an exemption policy as part of the scheme. Currently, residents aren’t expected to be exempt from complying, although those with certain characteristics may be considered for exemptions.

Consultation

Will you publish the data from that consultation, to establish irrevocably that there is more support in favour of parking restriction and higher speeds on a School Road?

We will publish a summary of all data collected and detailed data will be available on request.

What will the consultation have to show in order for the councillors to be happy with the standard of consultation on Leigham court road residents’ behalf. our opposition to the LTN as an entire road surely should make a difference?

Councillors will consider all information carefully when reviewing the scheme. This will include all the traffic and related data and analysis, responses to the statutory traffic order consultation as well as the forthcoming public consultation. The Monitoring Strategy sets out overall objectives for the scheme.

What responsibility do the council take for the detrimental effects to the health of residents on leigham court road as a result of the increased levels of traffic and pollution?

Our monitoring data shows an overall decrease in traffic volume in the LTN (including boundary roads) and an attendant improvement in air quality.

CONSULTATION Q: Do you have process in mind for all stakeholders? LV and LCR are not within LTNs - can we take part too? Also how would you reach out to all people who may not be internet savy - and may not be aware about any meetings etc?

We are looking to engage with a diverse and broad population. This will involve online Q&As, pop-up stalls, and drop-ins to community events. We welcome the participation of residents from LV and LCR – these roads are considered part of the LTNs as they are the boundary roads for the neighbourhood. For those not online, we are looking to engage with them via post. There will be an option to complete a physical copy of the survey during the consultation period.

Monitoring

Have you added environment/pollution monitoring across the LTNs including boundary roads?

Please refer to the air quality modelling in stage 2 data.

I am still not convinced that vehicle count is the best way to assess the pollution issue - unless you detail what the cars are and how polluting they are?

Please refer to the air quality modelling in Stage 2 data.

Pollution absolutely should be monitored. Much more stationary traffic now increasing pollution beyond that caused by increased traffic volume. Road is already higher in pollution than those within proposed LTN

We are measuring air quality at each stage of the monitoring process.

MONITORING AGAIN: Are Probyn and Lanercost Roads which are both boundary roads monitored?

Probyn Road and Lanercost Road are not considered boundary roads in this scheme. Lanercost Road is being monitored and has shown a 20% reduction in cars, a 173% increase in cycles, 34% decrease in HGVs and a 2% decrease in LGVs.