Campaign groups opposing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have joined forces for the first time to lobby the Government to change the law.
Fifteen community groups have sent a letter to the transport secretary Heidi Alexander arguing that LTN schemes often “do not have the backing of local people”.
The letter also called for the government to introduce “a strict regulatory framework” for new and existing LTN schemes to make sure that they cannot introduce schemes which do not have community support.
The letter, which has been seen by the Standard, said: “The Department for Transport has always said that LTNs are a matter for local authorities and should be developed through engagement with local communities.
“However, our experience is that local authorities often impose LTNs without local community support — in many cases after public consultations showing that two thirds or more wanted them removed. This has eroded trust in local government.
“Until now we have campaigned separately against badly designed and socially unjust LTNs in our local areas.
“We are now joining forces to urge the government to introduce a strict regulatory framework for both new and existing traffic management schemes, to ensure that local authorities do not disadvantage groups with protected characteristics, such as the disabled, and cannot implement or maintain schemes that do not have community support.”
The letter has been signed by campaigners from across London including in Dulwich, Greenwich, Islington, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Waltham Forest.
Anti-LTN campaigners have also argued that there is no robust evidence to demonstrate the transport measures improve public health.
They say that residents who live in areas with LTNs face increased congestion and have forced some bus journeys to detour and take longer.
Last month a legal challenge against the decision to remove a set of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) from Tower Hamlets was struck down.
Campaigners from Save our Safer Streets had argued that Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman broke the law in the way he decided to remove three LTNs in Columbia Road, Arnold Circus, and Old Bethnal Green Road.
The decision could have political and legal repercussions across the capital, as it could set a precedent for boroughs who try to peel away from London mayor Sadiq Khan’s over-arching transport strategy.
About 100 LTNs have been introduced across the capital, many during the pandemic without consultation, in a bid to encourage walking and cycling and deter through traffic, often with the use of bollards, giant planters and CCTV cameras.
In 2023 a study by Westminster University’s Active Travel Academy and climate charity Possible found the measures in place in London “substantially” reduced motor traffic in residential areas without having much impact on nearby main roads.
The Department for Transport told the Times: “As is longstanding policy, local authorities are best placed to decide what traffic management schemes are appropriate, but they should always be developed through engagement with local communities. There are no plans to change this.”
The Standard has contacted the Times for further comment.