By now, you\u2019re probably at least passingly familiar with the term CAZ \u2013 otherwise known as a Clean Air Zone, an area where specific measures have been implemented to curb harmful emissions levels. However, you may not be quite as familiar with the term LTN, even though in many ways it shares some of the same broad aims as a CAZ.<\/p>\n
LTN stands for Low Traffic Neighbourhood, where measures like planters, semi-permanent bollards and dedicated cameras are used to reduce the levels of through traffic in neighbourhoods. The basic idea is to discourage driving, while making walking and cycling more pleasant \u2013 an idea that might appeal if you\u2019ve ever decided to scrap your car<\/a><\/strong> for a two-wheeled alternative!<\/p>\n Now, as with any major change to a local community, it has its advocates and its critics. But is it something that we should be seeing more of throughout the UK?<\/p>\n In short, local residents. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are designed with a number of aims in mind, but one of their core priorities is to combat what\u2019s called rat-running. This is the term used to refer to drivers essentially using residential streets as shortcuts, helping them dodge round longer queues on main roads that are designed to handle larger volumes of traffic. And while it might be a handy method for drivers, it can often have a severe impact on the lives of the residents themselves.<\/p>\n Primarily, it\u2019s the most badly-behaved drivers who can cause the most misery. Speeding is not uncommon, and it\u2019s exceptionally dangerous given how narrow most residential streets are. It makes it far more fraught for pedestrians to cross their own roads \u2013 even on dedicated pedestrian crossings \u2013 and cyclists can often find themselves forced onto pavements to avoid drivers who aren\u2019t giving them the proper clearance.<\/p>\n Rat-running drivers frequently get in each other\u2019s way too, so residents have to contend with loud road rage arguments \u2013 which is particularly stressful if they\u2019re trying to get home after a tough day at work themselves.<\/p>\n Amongst all this, it\u2019s also worth noting that there\u2019s evidence to suggest rat-running doesn\u2019t actually save drivers all that much time. In Greenwich, for example, which was the site of an experimental LTN until February this year, one resident and campaigner observed that:<\/a><\/strong> \u201c\u2026speeding cars only ever gained the illusion of quicker journey times; they always had to queue to get back on or off the A2, after dodging through the bustling residential streets of Greenwich.\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, there\u2019s the UK\u2019s commitment to its Net Zero target to bear in mind; many campaigners are convinced we\u2019ll only be able to reach it with a sizeable number of people hopping out of the driver\u2019s seat, and into the cycling saddle.<\/p>\n As you might expect, there are plenty of drivers who don\u2019t really see the problem with using any means available to avoid gridlock to help them get to their destination, as long as they\u2019re driving sensibly and mindful of the conditions.<\/p>\n There were also reports that the Greenwich LTN made things difficult for tradespeople, who pointed out that without access to local roads, they struggle to reach homes quite as easily. On that note, there\u2019s a raft of people who need their cars for their jobs, such as carers, who can be impacted by LTNs.<\/p>\n Ultimately, Greenwich\u2019s local council decided to axe the scheme back in February of this year, mostly because several new councillors were not convinced that LTNs were in the best interests of the community in the long run. One councillor said that while they can make life easier and more pleasant for locals in the immediate vicinity, they don\u2019t actually solve the traffic problem \u2013 simply displacing through traffic to other local areas which might not be quite as fortunate as to have an LTN of their own.<\/p>\n To be honest, part of this conversation might seem familiar by this stage \u2013 lots of it all comes down to the fact that we should all probably be driving less where we can. Right now, there\u2019s no evidence that\u2019s happening. In fact, the number of cars on UK roads has increased by 42.5% in the past few decades, and if that pace continues, the number of cars we own could well reach 45 million by 2045.<\/p>\n With the UK\u2019s current climate contributions under scrutiny at COP26, it\u2019s something that\u2019s likely to become more and more prominent in the national conversation from this point forwards!<\/p>\n We\u2019ll leave you to ponder that one. And whether you\u2019re thinking of going car-free yourself, or you just need to get rid of your old banger, we\u2019re here to help!<\/p>\n When you choose us, we\u2019ll make sure to connect you with the nearest local scrapyard with the very best prices, so that they can pop by and pick up your car right from your driveway, without any travel costs or logistics cutting into the cash amount you\u2019ll get.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t just take our word for it \u2013 get an instant online quote today! It\u2019s free, and there\u2019s zero obligation until you decide you\u2019re ready to proceed. Just enter your car reg and postcode<\/a> <\/strong>into the fields on our site, and within seconds you\u2019ll be looking at your very own instant online quote. Ready to find out how much your car is worth?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By now, you\u2019re probably at least passingly familiar with the term CAZ \u2013 otherwise known as a Clean Air Zone, an area where specific measures have been implemented to curb harmful emissions levels. However, you may not be quite as familiar with the term LTN, even though in many ways it shares some of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":6405,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\nWho benefits from LTNs?<\/h2>\n
But is it really that simple?<\/h2>\n