Angry residents call for LTN to be scrapped

By Lina Kurdi

Residents who want a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scrapped say they cannot let their kids play in their front gardens due to the pollution caused by displaced traffic.

People living in Lee Road, Lewisham, also say that they have to put up with queuing traffic in their street all day, and that journey times to the nearest hospital have increased since the Lewisham and Lee Green LTN was introduced.

Lee Road resident Mark De-Laurey, 45, said: “I feel it’s been really poorly implemented and not thought through and we’re baring the consequences.

“The LTN has funnelled all the displaced traffic from the South Circular Road on to Lee Road.

“Cars can no longer go down Manor Lane or use other rat runs in Hither Green and Lee Green. All the traffic is directed onto Lee Road.

“We get tailback traffic for about half a mile from our front door, which starts roughly from 7 am until 10 am every morning then from 3pm until 7pm every evening.

“On the weekends, we’ve had constant traffic until 8 pm.

“My kids can’t play in the front garden. They’re limited to playing in the back garden because you’ve got traffic sitting on your doorstep constantly.”

Lee Road resident Janet Fisher, 82, said: “The LTN has affected the quality of life of my husband and I.

“My grandson is three years old, and it used to take me 11 minutes to take him to nursery, now with all the road closures, it takes me 30 minutes.

“What’s even more concerning is that it used to take us 10 minutes to get to Lewisham Hospital for an appointment. Now it takes us 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.”

The Lewisham Transport Strategy and Local Implementation Plan (2019 – 2041) identified Lee Green as a priority area for a Healthy Neighbourhood.

But Mr De-Laurey said: “That’s rubbish. I’ve independently installed pollution monitors in my house and they consistently show that pollution levels have dramatically increased passed the safe limit.

“I can’t open my windows because of the amount of fumes coming from cars.”

Nicky Collins, 57, said: “Lewisham council are ignoring residents. They even dismissed a petition against the LTN with 12,000 signatures, so far.”

A spokeswoman from Lewisham council said: “The Lewisham and Lee Green Low Traffic Neighbourhood is focused on reducing unnecessary car journeys and discouraging through-traffic.

“Whilst these changes can take time to take effect, we expect to see a decrease in traffic in the long run, as people choose to drive less.

“This will free up our streets for essential car journeys, help people to walk and cycle more, and improve road safety.

“Congestion on roads can occur for a number of reasons, including events that are often unplanned and can be difficult to influence, such as emergency works and unexpected closures of the Blackwall Tunnel.

“However, the LTN is managed in a way that allows us to be flexible and respond to incidents that affect routes in the area.

“We’re continuing to monitor and review traffic, speed and air quality levels in and around the LTN to help ensure we can address any issues where possible.”

Pictured top: Lee Road traffic – taken from Mark De-Laurey’s window (Picture: Mark De-Laurey)