Streatham Hill Low Traffic Neighbourhood Stage One Monitoring Report

A report on the impact of the Streatham Hill Low Traffic Neighbourhood. This stage one report is part of our continuous monitoring of the scheme.

Community feedback analysis

The analysis identified that while there is a general desire for cleaner air and safer streets among respondents, there are strong and contrasting opinions on how to achieve this. 

  • Over 120 comments referenced improved road safety and a similar number commented that traffic volumes had decreased. The second most commented issue was compliance with, or enforcement of the new restrictions.
  • The most commented issue, accounting for over a fifth of responses, were concerns about vehicle access or queries about exemptions to the restrictions.
  • Concerns also focused on boundary roads, extended vehicle journey times, and pollution associated with them.

Perceived benefits

Below are some of the perceived benefits raised by the community in relation to the Low Traffic Neighbourhood. All benefits are being considered as we monitor the scheme and we look to further enhance it.

Traffic:

  • Reduced traffic volumes
  • Previously heavily traffic streets such as Downton Avenue have been transformed

Safety:

  • Feels much safer for pedestrians crossing roads
  • Better for children walking, scooting or cycling to the primary schools in the LTN area.
  • Reduces impatient motorists speeding through the area
  • I can cycle in relative safety

Health and Wellbeing:

  • Air quality improvements
  • Reduced noise in the area.
  • A safer place for children and families
  • Area has been calmer and more enjoyable to walk around

Environment:

  • Addresses the climate crisis 
  • Tackle air pollution
  • Much quieter now

Local Context and Community:

  • The majority of people here do not drive 
  • There now needs to be more seating and planting
  • Walk more locally, and shop more on Streatham Hill

Concerns

Summarises general perceived concerns from respondents.

Below are some of the concerns highlighted by the community in relation to the Low Traffic Neighbourhood. All concerns are being considered as we monitor the scheme and introduce supporting measures such as enforcement, better signage and filter alterations.

Traffic:

  • Concerns about the potential increase in traffic on boundary roads (Leigham Vale, Leigham Court Road, the South Circular and Streatham High Road) and the associated pollution this may cause, especially at school sites.
  • Concerns about a perceived increase in traffic on roads within the LTN which provide a route between Leigham Vale and Leigham Court Road. This includes Mount Nod Road, Rosedene Avenue and Stockfield Road.
  • Concerns about increased journey times
  • Concerns about non-compliance, where new restrictions are being ignored (cars speeding/careless driving)

Businesses:

  • Concern there may be negative impact on local businesses in terms of making deliveries and less passing trade

Safety:

  • Fear quieter streets increase vulnerability at night
  • Fear there may be an increase of anti-social behaviour
  • Safety concerns around making a right turn onto Streatham High Road.

Communication:

  • Lack of engagement/ consultation with local community
  • GPS mapping not up to date.
  • Clearer signage on the ground about the changes.

Access:

  • Concern about potential increase in vehicle journey times, or a desire for exemptions to apply, for:
    • Vulnerable and disabled residents
    • Services and assistance to the area
    • Residents
    • Emergency service response vehicles
    • Local businesses
    • Those within the LTN whose streets are not within the CPZ
    • Those visiting doctor’s surgeries within the LTN
    • Taxis

Local context and community:

  • Concerns about which socioeconomic groups benefit from the scheme.
  • Concerns about a lack of connectivity by car within the neighbourhood

Suggested improvements

This section highlights suggested improvements in and around the area raised by members of the community. 

Suggestions came from respondents who support the scheme and respondents who would like to see alternatives introduced.

Scheme as a whole:

  • Improve safety along the A3
  • Improve signage (advanced notice, healthy routes)
  • Explore timed restrictions
  • Introduce additional speed reduction measures (humps, width restrictions)
  • Introduce cycle lanes on the A23
  • Improve enforcement 
  • Allow exemptions from modal filters for residents, workers and disabled.
  • Improve streets (cleaner/clearer paths)
  • Modal filters required to stop the Rosendene Avenue and Stockfield Road cut throughs

Location specific

Palace Road (Modal Filter) 

  • Safer cycle lanes
  • Introduce width restriction measures
  • Extend parking permits to Palace Road residents
  • Tackle signage vandalism
  • Improve non-compliance
  • Relocate the filter to Daysbrook Road

Downton Avenue (Bus Gate) 

  • Address speeding of buses
  • Clean mess on paths for walking
  • Planters could be used to make the restriction more noticeable.
  • Advanced signage along Faygate Road
  • Sign locations should be revisited.

Hillside Road (Modal Filter) 

  • Extend parking permits to Hillside Road residents
  • Improve signage at approach to hillside from the roundabout
  • Tackle signage vandalism
  • Improve non-compliance

Faygate Road/Amesbury Avenue (Modal Filter)

  • Clearer signage
  • Pedestrian crossing
  • Improved road markings
  • Address speeding

Amesbury Avenue (Modal Filter)

  • Introduce no left turn signage on Emsworth Road
  • Introduce more cameras
  • Allow exemptions to improve parking access