‘Silent majority’ hails success of Streatham LTN (Low Traffic Neighbourhood) scheme – opinion piece

The new Streatham Wells low traffic neighbourhood has widespread support among the public, according to a group of local residents who say their lives are being transformed by a huge reduction in road traffic.

The group of supportive locals claim they are “the silent majority” in support of the low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) and say they boycotted a recent residents meeting because it was biased against the LTN.

The Streatham low traffic scheme covers Valley Road, Sunnyhill Road, Gleneldon Road and the surrounding area, with new filters preventing ‘rat running’ by drivers.

Residents on Valley Road have been campaigning to make the street safer since 2018. Transport for London data shows over 10,000 vehicles per day used Valley Road before the LTN, with many using it as a shortcut to avoid Streatham High Road.

John from Shrubbery Road – previously used as a cut-through between Streatham High Street and Valley Road – said “I have lived on Shrubbery Road for 38 years and I have never seen the area so quiet.”

Ali from Valley Road said “I’ve really noticed how much safer it feels to cross the road throughout the area. You used to have cars hurtling along the back roads and now those that are driving inside the LTN are more considerate to others.”

Elena from Streatham Wells said “I wanted to express how much I like the LTN. I can actually open the windows in my kids’ room now, without the room filling up with vehicle exhaust fumes straight away. And it’s so much safer to cross and walk along the road.”

One resident who asked not to be named said “the change for us has been transformational. Cycling to school up Valley Road is a joy, even for a five year old.

My work commute linking three LTNs [Streatham Wells, Streatham Hill and Railton Road] is delightful. Overall, Streatham Wells is now a much nicer place to live.”

The scheme is also having a positive impact on neighbouring roads. In an email to parents, Hitherfield Primary School said “a real positive effect of the LTN has been a sizable reduction in the amount of traffic on Leigham Vale, making the roads safer for our children.”

Philip Hulse – also from Leigham Vale – said “the reduction in traffic is incredibIe. It’s so peaceful I can hear the birds singing.”

The new scheme in Streatham Wells is part of Lambeth Council’s strategy to make streets safer and tackle the climate emergency in Lambeth. Residents can still reach their houses by car, whilst buses, emergency services, black taxis and disabled blue badge holders are allowed to drive through the filters.

The Streatham Wells scheme began on 23 October, with residents saying they are already seeing the benefits of reduced traffic. However, there have been claims of increased congestion on neighbouring roads which have been exacerbated by roadworks carried out by Thames Water.

Brixton Buzz attended a transport meeting of the Streatham Action Group on 2 November where 180 attendees discussed the LTN and voiced complaints about traffic congestion and inconvenience to daily driving routines. However, many supportive residents boycotted the meeting because the chair is openly against the scheme.

The Streatham Action Transport Group is chaired by Neil Salt, who is also Chairman of Streatham Conservatives.

He has campaigned against LTNs and other environmental schemes like London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ.) The group receives funding from Lambeth Council to “give a voice to residents and improve life, work and play in the area.”

In a statement on Twitter, Malcolm Clark, local councillor for Streatham Wells told the Streatham Action Group it was too early to have a constructive meeting about the scheme before it had bedded in.

Councillor Clark has been praised by residents for his regular communications and efforts to fix implementation issues around the LTN, such as signage to help drivers and cameras which have been vandalised.

Local campaign group Liveable Streatham Wells also said the meeting had come too early, “just 10 days into an 18 month trial.” The group added “we believe the timing is a deliberate attempt to stoke bad feeling and to divide our community. For that reason we will not attend.”

Brixton Buzz has seen supportive messages from over 50 residents of Streatham Wells and the surrounding streets who are supportive of the LTN. Many asked not to be named for fear of being targeted on social media.

A mum from Streatham Wells said “a lot of people are really enjoying the LTN but are almost embarrassed to admit it. The people against it are so loud and vocal, it gives a misleading impression. I have many conversations where people say “I’m really enjoying the quiet” but would never dare say that on social media or suffer a pile-on of hate.”

Philip Hulse said “there’s a noisy minority who oppose any sort of restrictions on driving. I’ve stopped posting online about it in recent days as I’ve had a barrage of grief from drivers, many who don’t even live locally. But make no mistake, there’s a silent majority of residents who support the LTN. It’s making our lives better.”

A local parent with two children at a primary school in Streatham Wells told us “the volume of traffic cutting through Streatham Wells from east to west or south to north has made living on the residential streets in the area feel pretty oppressive at times. The LTN was launched just before Halloween and the kids had a ball ‘trick or treating’ on the quieter streets.”

A23 Streatham said on Twitter “we love our LTN. Walking the kids to school is now a pleasure – safe and quiet. Before we had to be hyper-alert to road danger at the start and end of each day – that was not a healthy way to raise kids.”

According to Census data, around 14,500 people live in the area covered by the Streatham Wells LTN, with a majority of people not owning a car. 52.2% of Streatham Wells households do not have access to a vehicle.

A common complaint from residents has been the 315 bus getting stuck on Valley Road due to congestion. But the new scheme has removed this issue.

Ali said this “has encouraged me to make better use of the 315, where in the past I would consider an Uber to get to Balham or West Norwood. Now taking the bus is a no-brainer.”

The trial will be in place for 12 to 18 months, with Lambeth Council gathering feedback from residents and monitoring the impact on traffic and pollution levels.