Ministers could ban councils from bringing in hated low-traffic schemes as the Tories mull a crackdown on controversial green policies
- Government said councils must ensure traffic restrictions ‘work for local people’ before imposing them
Councils could be barred from introducing low-traffic neighbourhoods as part of a clampdown on controversial green policies.
Ministers are reported to be considering a ban on the divisive schemes, which are designed to force cars off residential streets and on to main roads.
Downing Street said yesterday that councils must ensure traffic restrictions ‘work for local people’ before imposing them.
Low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) became common during the pandemic as councils tried to encourage more cycling and walking.
But they are unpopular with many motorists, who find themselves barred from driving on familiar local routes and forced on to traffic-clogged main roads.
Ministers pursued a growth of LTNs in the wake of the Covid pandemic in 2020 as it sought to encourage more people to walk or cycle in towns and cities (File Photo)
A government source told The Times that councils could be barred from accessing the DVLA database to enforce schemes, making them unworkable.
Downing Street said the onus was on councils to ensure that schemes designed to promote ‘active travel’ enjoyed popular support.
‘The Government’s view is that (LTNs) need to work for local people.
We have seen some councils review LTNs where they don’t work for people in the past,’ a spokesman said.
‘For our part, we are investing £3billion in active travel.’
Whitehall sources played down the prospect of an imminent ban.
One said: ‘There has been speculation around this, but it is not being actively discussed.’