A low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) scheme in West Dulwich, south-east London, failed to deliver a significant reduction in traffic and increased vehicle movements on surrounding roads, according to a council report.
Lambeth Council’s monitoring data found that, while the scheme reduced the number of motor vehicles travelling within the LTN, traffic on boundary roads increased by 4,079 vehicles a day – a rise of 4%, reports The Telegraph.
The scheme was introduced in September 2024 with the aim of improving local streets and making the area more climate resilient. However, it faced opposition from residents and businesses concerned about the potential impact on traffic flows and air quality.
In May 2025, the High Court ruled that the council had introduced the scheme unlawfully, finding that it had failed to properly consider legitimate concerns raised by residents. The ruling led to the scheme being scrapped.
The council’s subsequent street improvement report concluded:
“Monitoring data indicates there was no significant traffic reduction across the scheme area.”
CCTV enforcement and road closures reduced the number of cars travelling within the LTN by 4,815, or 85%, but the report found that much of the impact was reflected in traffic movements on roads around the scheme.
The data also indicated a 1.4% increase in the number of motorists exceeding the speed limit on boundary roads, despite a reduction in speeding within the LTN.
The report highlighted increased pressure on certain parts of the surrounding highway network, with displaced traffic using external roads to avoid the restrictions.
It also found that average bus journey times on roads outside the LTN had increased marginally compared with 2019 baseline levels.
Cycling levels showed some increases on individual streets, although the results varied across the scheme area.
The largest recorded change was on Tulsemere Road, where the number of northbound cyclists increased by 19 a day – a rise of 307%. The council identified the road as one of the quieter streets within the LTN.
The findings highlight the challenges of assessing the overall impact of traffic management schemes, where reductions in vehicle movements on residential streets may be accompanied by increased traffic on surrounding roads.
The scheme had also generated £1.4 million in fines from motorists, according to the reported figures.
(Picture: TfL)
