A councillor’s motion asking for the reversal of low traffic neighbourhoods across Lambeth which includes residents' testimonies will not be voted on by full council as it “does not meet the test of a genuine emergency”. 

Conservative Cllr Tim Briggs submitted the proposed emergency motion, which calls for LTNs to reversed across the borough, to Lambeth’s chief executive requesting that it go to full council today (October 14). 

Motions must be submitted in time unless they are considered an emergency.

Lambeth received £2,639,000 from the Mayor of London’s Streetspace plans, the most out of all London councils, to cover emergency transport measures to aid social distancing and promote active travel in the wake of Covid-19.     

LTNs, which involve placing camera-enforced or physical barriers in streets to prevent through-traffic, are being implemented across the capital as part of the scheme.    

Lambeth recently implemented its fifth LTN in Tulse Hill, following Railton, Oval Triangle, Ferndale, and Streatham Hill. 

One of the main aims of the LTNs is to promote active travel such as cycling, walking, and public transport, which many residents support.      

But many other residents have also raised concerns about traffic displacement, lack of consultation, increased journey times, and the division of communities. 

In the proposed motion, which goes further than another one by including testimonies from residents who are experiencing problems with the schemes, Cllr Briggs describes the LTNs as “failed”, asks for their reversal and for a “proper” consultation.   

But in a response written on behalf of the chief executive, he was told that the motion “does not meet the test of a genuine emergency”.  

“The subject of low traffic neighbourhoods is clearly a significant issue affecting the local community, and there is both public support and public opposition for the schemes as is evidenced by the number of deputations and petitions received for Full Council.   

“However, in my opinion this does not meet the test of a genuine emergency necessitating an emergency motion to Full Council.   

“An emergency suggests a serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.   

“You have already submitted a written motion on this topic which is on the published agenda and this will be voted on at full council.   

“I do not consider that the emergency motion raises any new issues justifying this being treated as an emergency,” the officer said. 

Several petitions have been set up by Lambeth residents calling for an end to the LTNs.   

However, other resident-led surveys have seen strong support for the schemes, while petitions have also been set up asking for LTNs.