Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – coming to cities and towns near you.
How will LTN’s – Low Traffic Neighbourhoods affect last mile deliveries
Increased Government spending for cyclists and pedestrians means that our streets and neighbourhoods will undergo a number of changes with more cycle lanes, wider pavements and increased street furniture. As part of those changes, some towns and cities are implementing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, which will necessitate a change in the way goods are delivered in those areas.
What is a Low Traffic Neighbourhood?
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) are defined areas of residential streets that are in between main or “distributor” roads. The aim of an LTN is to discourage and actively prevent motor vehicles from travelling through the area, keeping buses, HGVs and non-local traffic to the main or distributor roads outside the LTN.
The idea is that every resident can still drive to their residence and receive deliveries, but it is harder or impossible for vehicles to easily pass through the neighbourhood as part of a shortcut or “rat-run”. Deliveries and homeowners may therefore have to take a slightly longer route in order to access their home or delivery location.
Once vehicles are eliminated or the volume is sufficiently reduced in an area, the speed limit is often reduced too, making streets quieter and safer for residents who can then swap to alternative and more healthy ways of travel for short journeys.
How are Low Traffic Neighbourhoods enforced?
The simplest method for the local council is to place “modal filters” at certain strategic points around the neighbourhood. “Modal filters” can take the form of bollards, planters, gates or width restrictions, any form of filter that either keeps out the larger vehicles or prevents them from entering the street entirely from certain directions is a modal filter, these can also take the form of one-way streets, signs and ANPR camera enforcement with fines for infringements.
As a result, access to the neighbourhood may be via one or more roads, and exit may be via another, so delivery vehicles must account for this in their route plans.
What is the aim of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods?
The aim is to reduce motor traffic, noise, pollution, and road accidents, freeing up the streets for pedestrians and cyclists as well as other methods of environmentally friendly transport. They can create spaces for play and socialise, helping residents interact easily and safely.
Where are Low Traffic Neighbourhoods being introduced?
Since June 2020 more than 200 schemes have been proposed in 54 local authorities including Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and London.
London's Low Traffic Neighbourhoods
The majority of Low-Traffic Meighbourhoods (141 schemes) are in London. However, since being introduced some controversial schemes have since been removed and London now has 97 in operation. Hackney has the highest number of LTNs, with plans for more.
Click here to see a map of LTN's in London
Two new LTN's launched in Bonds Green and St Ann's, Haringey Borough Council on 22nd August, 2022, camera enforced.
Brent in London
An 18-month trial started in spring of 2024 in the Kilburn area to reduce the number of vehicles using the area as a shortcut. With further works expected for Neasden town centre in the near future.
Oxford LTNs
Oxford has rolled out three schemes in May 2022 despite the opposition from some residents in those areas.
Bristol LTNs
September 2024 - Bath and North East Somerset are proposing these 11 new LTN’s in Bristol as part of their “Liveable Neighbourhoods project”. Drivers and residents currently have until October 13th 2024 to share their views with the council.
The 11 proposed LTNs include;
Church Street and Prior Park Road
Whitchurch Village and Queen Charlton
Southlands Area (Weston)
New Sydney Place and Sydney Road
Lyme Road and Charmouth Road area
Lower Lansdown and The Circus
Temple Cloud
Pulteney Estate area
London Road and Snow Hill area
Entry Hill
Bath and Chelsea Road area.
Darlington Borough Council
Currently, considering plans to introduce an LTN to the town in order to improve road safety.
Coventry LTNs
A trial was launched in Earlsdon, if successful, more trials will be launched around the city.
Birmingham LTNs
An LTN has been installed in the Kings Heath and Lozells' area, including 20mph zones, one-way streets and other traffic calming measures.
Low Traffic Neighbourhood areas scrapped
In July 2024 the LTN in Exeter was scrapped and bollards removed. The Exeter LTN in Heavitree and Whipton area was a trail and has been campaigned against since it was installed in August 2023, 81% of the 9,000 responses were opposed to the scheme. More discussion will take place regarding traffic calming measures in the area.
LTN will make home deliveries more complicated, and retailers and delivery companies will need to plan effectively around these constraints to provide a service that consumers expect.
Contact us for more information on route optimisation for effective last mile deliveries.
