Concerns Over Low Traffic Neighborhoods

Is driving becoming illegal? Or are drivers being painted as the villains? The way some councils have rolled out “low-traffic areas” over the last few years suggests they might think so. Their goal is to reduce traffic, which, let’s be honest, most people agree is a good idea. But how they’ve responded to the backlash from residents raises eyebrows.

Last week, I felt a sense of relief when the High Court ruled that Lambeth Council in South London had acted unlawfully by disregarding local objections to their latest traffic scheme. I live in another part of this Labour-run borough and have noticed, time and again, how the council tends to overlook public concerns about other low-traffic neighborhoods here.

Residential streets are now often choked with traffic. Long lines of cars, increased exhaust fumes, and just the everyday hassle that ordinary folks face are rampant. Vulnerable groups, like seniors and those with disabilities, find it particularly challenging to navigate their neighborhoods. As for parents trying to drop off kids at school? Their travel times have effectively doubled.

And when roadwork happens, or there’s some other blockage like an accident, you can bet things get chaotic. You might think oil protesters don’t create this kind of disruption, but it certainly feels like it sometimes.

Local opposition has been brushed aside, labeled as a “culture war.” But this is a borough that was once a stronghold for progressive values. There’s no cultural clash at play here. The council, with little regard for petitions or protests, seems more keen on staking a claim on a greener identity.

Personally, I don’t have any ideological objections to low-traffic measures. I mean, I want less traffic, too. I used to love cycling and often took my kids to school that way. Sure, maybe they work in some areas, but the situation in Lambeth shows that there’s a disregard for genuine evidence and public feedback.

Many of these low-traffic neighborhoods popped up in 2020, allegedly as a quick response to Covid—odd, considering traffic had already dropped significantly. The idea was that blocking off certain areas would eliminate traffic altogether. While it’s true quieter streets emerged within those zones, the result has been a surge of congestion on main roads, leading to frustrating delays for residents trying to escape the mess.

One tragic case that stands out is that of a 9-year-old girl, Ella, who passed away from an asthma attack related to air pollution. This just goes to show the consequences of poorly thought-out low-traffic designs.

Initially, the council justified these measures as a way to promote “active travel.” However, in many hilly parts of Lambeth, biking isn’t feasible for most people, and it’s even worse for the elderly or disabled. If you think the authorities are truly listening to concerns, consider the disastrous roll-out of the Streatham Wells low-traffic neighborhood this past October. Poorly planned next to an existing one, it caused monumental delays, even for public transport. In some cases, buses were caught in traffic for ages—you could nearly track them from space. How could Lambeth not foresee these issues? Thankfully, after public outcry, Mayor Sadiq Khan stepped in and scrapped the plan before it became a permanent fixture, which was a relief, at least.

Ultimately, the primary issue with low-traffic areas is how they’re enforced—more like penalties than incentives. There have been minimal improvements to public transport accompanying these restrictions. No new bus routes, no extra trains. People in South London are still grappling with underinvestment, resulting in unnecessary car journeys that clog up the area.

Sure, some people might not feel much sympathy for drivers, especially if they don’t own cars themselves. But let’s not kid ourselves; everyone, at some point, relies on a driver—whether it’s through Uber, deliveries, or tradespeople like plumbers. The frustration and wasted fuel in traffic ultimately fall on everyone.

We need to find a solution that works better for everyone. The first step? Listening. Lambeth has been called out for ignoring residents’ voices. Those opposing low-traffic measures aren’t just part of some extreme anti-driver faction; they deserve to have their opinions heard. And those in charge must remember: owning a car shouldn’t be a crime, and drivers aren’t inherently bad people.