More Streatham LTN roads weeks after ULEZ expansion

Motorists in Streatham already facing the potential for a £12.50 a day charge if they have a non-compliant vehicle when ULEZ expands, will face fresh restrictions on Leigham Avenue, Culverhouse Gardens, Valley Road and Gleneldon Road under Lambeth Council’s plans for the Streatham Wells Low Traffic Neighbourhood [LTN].

The new rules, which apply to side streets in an area bounded by Leigham Court Road, Streatham Common North and Streatham High Road, aim to reduce traffic and pollution and allow people to cycle more safely.

The proposed traffic restrictions have proved divisive in the neighbourhood which has no London Underground station.

Will Hadley, 35, said the changes would likely add time onto his commute but felt it was worthwhile if the measures cut pollution and traffic down his street.

He said: “As a car driver I have to drive to work and I can’t really avoid the fact that cutting off bits of the road will affect my route.

"But if that adds three minutes on to my journey it’s not too bad because reducing pollution and traffic is a good thing. It’s a positive move overall.”

But he admitted the proposals had been “incredibly divisive,” with some residents loudly opposed to the plans.

Local mum Vicky Brain previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service she would be forced to cancel her disabled daughter’s after-school clubs because of the extra time that road closures would add to their journeys.

Speaking in December 2022, she said: “It’s going to restrict our lives considerably when we get the low-traffic neighbourhood.

"It’s going to mean that my daughter can’t take part in educational and after-school activities.”

Nyasha Oliver said she was concerned about the impact of the road closures on some of her disabled neighbours who couldn’t rely on public transport as easily.

The 30-year-old, who doesn’t own a car, said: “Some of my neighbours are disabled and their carers have to take cars with them. It restricts them from being able to go where they need to go.”

Ms Oliver, a writer and blogger, added that while speeding was a problem on local roads, she wasn’t fully convinced that the restrictions would lead to improvements in safety.

As part of the plans, disabled blue badge holders will be able to pass freely through one of the roadblocks in the Streatham Wells LTN. But they will not have permission to pass through all traffic filters, as some residents have called on the council to allow.

A council report with details of the new LTN says that allowing blue badge holders access through all filters had the “potential to undermine the legibility of the schemes and encourage greater levels of non-compliance as well as having potential safety impacts”.

Exemptions from the restrictions will also apply for buses, emergency service vehicles, dustbin lorries and taxis.

Once they come into force, the new rules will be in place for 18 months. The council will monitor pollution and traffic levels on streets within the LTN and on boundary roads during the trial.

A decision will be made on whether to make the restrictions permanent before the 18-month period is over.

The trial is being bankrolled by £330,000 of the council’s own cash and £120,000 from TfL.

Many residents the Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to didn’t want to share their names because of how bitter the debate around the LTN had become.

One resident, who gave her name only as Maureen, said discussions in a local Whatsapp group had been “heated”.

She added: “I’m on the fence really. I don’t drive so it’s not going to affect me. I can see where people in favour are coming from. I get annoyed when cars drive down here at ridiculous speeds because of my kids.

"But also I used to live on a road in another borough where traffic was being diverted because of an LTN and it was a problem.”

Labour-led Lambeth Council will also consult on banning non-local heavy goods vehicles from Leigham Court Road as part of the proposals.

Streatham Wells is already part of a trial to roll out delivery lockers to reduce the number of final stage journeys by vans in the area.

Councillor Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for clean air, said: “These proposals will lead to a significant improvement in road safety, air quality, and will allow more space for people to enjoy their neighbourhoods without worrying about traffic jams and exhaust fumes.

"The proposed Streatham Wells LTN, as well as the other improvements, show we are taking bold steps to address issues like road danger, toxic air quality, and climate resilience.

“We have been listening to the community for more than two years to ensure these proposals strike the right balance between reducing overall traffic volume and supporting people where they live or work and will continue to ask for feedback as we move forward.”