The impacts of implementing Low Traffic Neighbourhood trials in Bath and the reaction of locals came up for discussion in a parliamentary debate in Westminster Hall where Bath’s MP Wera Hobhouse Wera Hobhouse had plenty to say on the matter.
She also suggested those who were worried about their impact, should contact her on the matter.
Mrs Hobhouse congratulated those who had signed the petition sparking the debate, which had accrued over 15,000 signatures calling for the benefits and possible drawbacks of introducing LTNs for local communities to be explored.
The Bath MP welcomed the debate and emphasised the importance of not shying away from polarising discussions such as these.
Although the term LTN is new to public discourse, the concept is not. In fact, the planning principles of LTNs have been used in street design since at least the 1970s, according to Cycling UK.
Despite their longevity, Mrs Hobhouse recognised the recent spike in controversy surrounding the implementation of LTNs and urged local authorities to work closely with road users – motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike – to ensure that LTNs benefit their surrounding communities.
She especially stated the importance of assuring vulnerable and disabled road users that their mobility would not be restricted by these schemes.
Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) is an excellent example of such collaboration, the city’s MP suggested.
Wera Hobhouse has been working with councillors in B&NES to encourage and facilitate discussions between council officers and local groups opposing particular LTNs in Bath to improve communication, engagement and public understanding. Stating that councils ought to support their implementations with data, Mrs Hobhouse said that she had urged B&NES to provide local communities with the relevant data, which analyses the improvements made to neighbourhoods by these schemes.
Despite some vocal opposition to LTNs, a survey ordered by the Prime Minister revealed that 45% of residents living in LTN trial areas supported the schemes, 21% opposed them, and 58% were unaware that they lived in a low-traffic neighbourhood. Mrs Hobhouse criticised the government for having then buried the report as it demonstrated the popularity of LTNs, contrary to their hope that it would have done the opposite.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented:
“LTNs have many stark benefits, from improving air quality and the safety of pedestrians to encouraging people to participate in active travel. I am proud that Bath’s Liberal Democrat-run council is on board with trialling schemes in our city to make our streets safer and greener.
“However, I am aware that there has been opposition to the introduction of LTNs to Bath, and I have spoken with many residents about their very legitimate concerns. I would urge anyone worried about the impact of these schemes to contact me so that together we can ensure they benefit local residents.
“We must get the implementation of LTNs right so that their extensive advantages are visible and felt within local communities. That’s why I have encouraged councillors to work alongside local residents to ensure everyone’s voices are heard.”
Ms Hobhouse needs to understand two realities in B&NES implementation of LTNs in Bath :
1. They do not have wide and clear community support for doing so. Their own consultation results show that only 2.4% of Bath’s electorate specifically supported the introduction of LNs.
2. Their aims and test criteria for “ETRO through-road restrictions” (road blocks) are wholly subjective and will not be open to feedback from ALL of the stakeholder of the roads they close – in fact, again, only a very small minority of mainly those who called for the closures in the first place.
Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas, and Bath didn’t vote for road closures.
We of course installed an LTN in Royal Crescent years ago. I still don’t see little urchins of the wealthy residents playing hopscotch or having a kick about with jumpers for goal posts. The current crop of LTNs seems largely to benefit similarly upmarket residences with inconvenience for the majority of those who live in and around Bath.
I received the letter about the LTNs in Catherine Place and Winifred’s Lane although I am not directly affected BUT I would like to know if the residents of George Street, Lansdown Road and the London road have been informed and asked to comment as they are the people most likely to suffer from a surge in traffic (and pollution) on roads which are already unbearably jammed at rush hour. Will they know what has hit them?
I know Winifred’s Lane quite well and can vouch for the fact that most of the day it is completely empty. In my opinion it makes sense to take some of the pressure off the “main” roads as they are also residential to a large extent.
Apart from that, the most dangerous thing likely to happen in Winifred’s Lane is cyclists speeding and crashing as it is so temptingly steep!