Slow traffic neighbourhood! New LTN is causing such bad congestion that buses take TWO hours to travel less than three miles

A new Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) is causing such bad congestion that buses take two hours to travel less than three miles.

The Streatham Wells LTN in London has caused traffic chaos since the trial was introduced in October 2022.

The congestion is so bad at peak times that buses are being diverted around and even though the zone to avoid gridlock.

Transport for London (TfL) data shows that last week the A23, which runs along the western side of the LTN, became so bogged down in traffic that it took the bus 121 minutes to travel 2.9 miles.

It would have been twice as quick for passengers to walk the route which is only scheduled to take 29 minutes, the Times reported.

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Three quarters of another bus route were diverted around the LTN during rush hour while another route forged a path straight through it, Department of Transport data shows.

Since 2020, hundreds of LTNs have been introduced across the country but there is growing controversy about the schemes.

And last summer, Rishi Sunak ordered a review into LTNs which the Transport Department is yet to publish any findings or guidance on.

Lambeth Council blamed 'ongoing roadworks' and 'recent rail strikes' for the congestion.

A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of concerns regarding bus times in Streatham relating to the trial of Streatham Wells LTN, ongoing roadworks by utilities and recent rail strikes. We are working closely with TfL to monitor the situation and will make changes as needed.'

'In previous Lambeth LTN schemes, traffic fell across the neighbourhood and boundary roads by the end of the trial.

'The Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, and other measures such as those in West Dulwich, been introduced to our busy London borough to make the areas safer, more sustainable and to improve the quality for life everyone living in our local neighbourhoods.'

However, TfL's bus operations team reportedly came to the conclusion that the LTN was actually causing the problem.

The LTN's Operations Network Management Control Centre recently raised an 'incident' as they said the LTN was causing 'serious' delays in the area, the Times reported.

Tom Cunnington, Transport for London’s head of buses, said: 'We are sorry passengers continue to experience delays to services in Streatham — this is not in line with the level of service we aim to provide.'

Stephen Hall, who runs the Streatham Stuff website, said: 'It’s four months into the scheme and buses on the High Road are still regularly getting stuck for an hour in the congestion.

'Lambeth Council seems to have hugely underestimated the amount of damage and disruption the LTN would cause.'

MailOnline has contacted TfL.