Homerton’s trial low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) is set to be made permanent, following analysis of traffic data, air quality monitoring, comments from residents and an equalities impact assessment.
The scheme is part of Hackney Council’s plans to rebuild a greener Hackney in the wake of the pandemic – with 19 trial low traffic neighbourhoods and 40 School Streets introduced to support people to walk, shop and cycle locally and create cleaner, greener neighbourhoods.
In Homerton, three traffic filters – planters in the road which permit only cyclists, emergency and waste vehicles to pass through – were installed in Barnabas Road, Ashenden Road and Meeson Street in June 2020, helping to create a low traffic neighbourhood in the area.
Recent analysis of traffic, air quality and bus speeds data following the LTN’s introduction showed that traffic was down both inside the LTN and on boundary roads. It also found that air quality has improved at eight of nine monitored locations in the area, with average bus speeds improving from 6.9mph in 2019 to 7.2mph in 2021.
Cllr Mete Coban, cabinet member for energy, waste, transport and public realm, Hackney Council, said: “Low traffic neighbourhoods are important because they protect our residents from long standing rises in traffic in Hackney – 40% of which does not start or end in the borough – and they support people to walk, cycle and shop locally, improving air quality for everyone.
“In the aftermath of COP26, we also need to do more to tackle transport emissions, which account for 25% of CO2 emissions in the borough.
“In making the Homerton low traffic neighbourhood permanent, we have considered the reductions in traffic and air pollution, comments from residents, and completed a comprehensive equalities impact assessment, looking at the impact of the LTN on those with protected characteristics, such as race, gender and disability.”
Throughout the trial, the council encouraged people to respond to its Commonplace page, which was used to identify issues with the LTN and make changes where appropriate. It is also set to consult on new measures to reduce traffic on Roding Road.
