Three traffic-reduction schemes will be rolled out in Haringey in an attempt to curb air pollution and boost walking and cycling in the borough.

Low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), which are designed to stop through-traffic from using residential streets, will be introduced in Bounds Green, St Anns and Bruce Grove next year.

Approved by cabinet members during a meeting on Tuesday, the schemes – the first of a possible 25 LTNs outlined in the council’s draft walking and cycling action plan – will see residential streets closed to through-traffic using physical barriers and enforcement cameras. Residents will still be able to access their streets using their cars.

The decision came despite opposition to some of the proposed changes from local residents, which is detailed in the cabinet reports. Concerns raised by opponents included increased traffic and air pollution on main roads, including those on the boundaries of the LTNs.

Read more: Haringey launches low-traffic neighbourhood consultation

A consultation held on the Bounds Green scheme revealed 55 per cent of respondents were against the plans to reduce traffic within the LTN area and more than 60 per cent opposed the changes proposed by the council to implement the scheme.

More than half (54 per cent) of respondents living in the Bruce Grove and West Green LTN area were positive about reducing traffic – but a similar proportion were against the changes planned by the council.

In the St Ann’s LTN area, 68 per cent were in favour of traffic reduction and 62 per cent responded positively to the design that the council plans to implement.

According to the cabinet report, the council has made changes to the designs of the schemes in response to consultation feedback. LTNs have proved to be controversial in some parts of London, including neighbouring Enfield, where protests were recently held against schemes in Bowes Park – which will link up with Haringey’s Bounds Green LTN – and in Palmers Green.

LTNs are designed to reduce through-traffic (Image: Pixabay)

LTNs are designed to reduce through-traffic (Image: Pixabay)

The council admits that it’s not possible to predict exactly what the impacts of the LTNs will be, but has recommended implementing them based on “significant benefits” such as reduced traffic and air pollution and increases in “active travel”.

The council will allow exemptions for disabled blue badge holders, special educational needs and disabilities transport, and essential council catering services, enabling them to access the LTNs via the road closures that are likely to be enforced by cameras.

Cllr Mike Hakata, deputy council leader and cabinet member for environment, transport and the climate emergency, said the council was “putting the pedestrian before the car”.

Speaking during the meeting, he said: “It is a key plank in our climate change action plan. It is a key plank, not only in our ability to reduce carbon and road traffic in the area, but also reduce danger [and] increase road safety.”

Cabinet members unanimously agreed to implement the LTNs on an experimental basis, which will allow the schemes to be changed in response to feedback from residents before they are made permanent.

The Bounds Green LTN is set to be rolled out from January 2022. The full implementation of the remaining two LTNs is expected to be implemented in spring and summer of next year.