SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
Scientists say there’s ‘no evidence’ low-traffic neighbourhoods increase pollution in nearby roads
They are one of the most controversial traffic measures of our time, fuelling local election campaigns and sparking protests nationwide. But scientists say there is no evidence Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) increase pollution on nearby roads – putting the brakes on the number one argument against them.
In a new paper, Imperial College London researchers said there was “no evidence of displacement of traffic leading to increased traffic volumes and NO2 pollution on the roads surrounding” three LTNs in Islington, North London, installed in 2020.
In fact, they say introducing LTNs reduced NO2 by 8.9 per cent for boundary roads and 5.7 per cent for internal roads.
Introduced as a measure to tackle air pollution caused by cars, LTNs ban through traffic from certain road networks, but have long been dogged by accusations that they simply divert traffic and pollution to another area.
Dr Audrey de Nazelle, from Imperial’s Centre for Environmental Policy, said: “This research effectively disproves the argument that low-traffic zones will necessarily cause an increase in traffic and air pollution in neighbouring streets.”
The study found introducing the measures reduced average traffic by 13.4 per cent on boundary roads, and by 58.2 per cent within LTNs.
However, the authors admitted the study was limited by a low number of observation points, and the potential for interference from building works or street geometry.
Despite 97 per cent of UK addresses being in areas with unsafe
