Skip advert
Advertisement

Haigh backs low traffic zones in pursuit of 50 per cent target for walking and riding

Transport secretary pledges councils will be fully supported if they choose to launch Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

London streets

Labour transport secretary Lousie Haigh has pledged to back councils implementing low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and traffic calming measures, as the government aims to get 50 per cent of local journeys made on foot or by bicycle.

Reining in some of what previous prime minister Rishi Sunak called ‘harebrained schemes’ was one of the Tory pledges in the last election, however Haigh has confirmed that Labour’s new government remains committed to its belief that local authorities should retain powers to implement schemes favoured by councillors and officials.

Talking to the Streets Ahead podcast channel, which promotes an anti-car agenda for urban transport, Haigh promised that local authorities “would have her full support to roll out schemes”.

Advertisement - Article continues below

LTNs have been rolled out in multiple cities in recent years by local authorities, aimed at creating more space on the roads for cyclists and pedestrians. However, they’ve often proved hugely controversial with residents, and the BBC has reported that around a quarter of the schemes implemented since 2020 have subsequently been scrapped.

Haigh told Streets Ahead that while the last government had funded active travel schemes through Covid, the money had been “taken away” after the pandemic leaving councils wishing to run schemes “in limbo”. Haigh said they also had the Tory government actively working against them “saying 'No, you're not allowed to roll out 20mph zones, no, you're not allowed to roll out LTNs”. 

According to Haigh, decisions should “absolutely be made at a local level, and not dictated to by the centre”. She added the government would certainly not shy away from its target of 50 per cent of short journeys being made on foot or bicycles. 

"That will have to be delivered by local authorities, so anybody who wants to do that work, they'll have the Department for Transport's full backing," she said.

Earlier this year, government data showed that 58 per cent of residents are unaware of local Low Traffic Neighbourhoods schemes, while 41 per cent said they worsened congestion elsewhere. 

Last year Auto Express reported that one council, Haringey, had netted £2 million in fines from 60,000 penalty notices to drivers in just four months. 

What's your opinion on LTNs? Tell us in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

On-street electric car charging gets £55million Govt. funding boost
EVs charging on the street

On-street electric car charging gets £55million Govt. funding boost

The UKs National Wealth Fund invests government cash in Connected Kerb
News
29 Jan 2025
Electric car adoption to hinge on advanced new tech that makes life easy
Tesla Model Y - main image

Electric car adoption to hinge on advanced new tech that makes life easy

Leading industry analyst says EVs’ ability to integrate with homes and smart tech will ultimately persuade buyers to go electric
News
17 Jan 2025
EV charger numbers are growing rapidly but there's one small problem
Fiat 500 connected to a Gridserve rapid charger

EV charger numbers are growing rapidly but there's one small problem

The number of public EV chargers across the UK grew by 38 per cent in 2024, but analysts are concerned about what’s being installed and regional inequ…
News
9 Jan 2025
Plug-in hybrid cars are essentially pointless and in 2025 it’s high time we all accepted that
Opinion - PHEVs

Plug-in hybrid cars are essentially pointless and in 2025 it’s high time we all accepted that

Alex Ingram explains why he believes that PHEVs aren't all they're cracked up to be
Opinion
7 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price
Ford Capri - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Capri looks a lot less controversial at this price

Rebooted Seventies classic is now an electric SUV for a low monthly outlay. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 February
News
5 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Nissan Leaf for under £140 a month is bargain electric motoring
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Nissan Leaf for under £140 a month is bargain electric motoring

It may be getting on a bit, but the Leaf still represents simple – and cheap – electric motoring. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 February
News
3 Feb 2025
Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition gets a price hike, but it’s still cheap-as-chips
Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition - front

Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition gets a price hike, but it’s still cheap-as-chips

The petrol Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition now starts from £18,995, while the electric version comes in at £27,495
News
5 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts