Council Resolved To Press On With LTNs Despite Residents' Resistance
Dismisses claims that schemes are not being installed legally
Lorry on Culmington Road arriving with planters. Picture: Lorna O'Driscoll/Facebook
Ealing Council have responded to action by local residents preventing the installation of barriers for Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme (LTNs) by restating their commitment to implement the measures.
Five barriers were due to be installed as part of the Loveday Road LTN (LTN 30) this Monday morning (28 September) but lorry drivers bringing the planters to make the barriers were told that the scheme was illegal. The residents said they would be prepared to call the police if necessary and showed the contractors papers with the legal arguments against the validity of the order. The workmen were said to have reacted with courtesy and were thanked for their attitude by residents.
Residents of LTN 30 had sent a letter to the council last Friday which stated that their Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) was invalid. It was claimed that there is a legal requirement to give notice of the ETO in a printed newspaper 7 days in advance of any road closure. In addition the Notice was flawed with incorrect road names being used such as 'Lammas Park Road' instead of 'Lammas Park Gardens'. Also an incorrect publish date was used.
The council spoke to the residents by phone but they were unable to reach an agreement. The council’s position is that the emergency nature of the ETO exempts it from the requirements for it to be publicised.
The council also have dismissed claims by the resident group that any scheme not implemented by the end of September would need to be scrapped. They say the funding for the projects has sufficient flexibility built in to allow a project start this month.
The campaigners now believe that it will be impossible for the council to install the barriers for some time because they say they will have to publish a revised notice in The Gazette giving a week’s notice.
However, the council have given no indication that they will be publishing a new notice and have stated that they believe that the LTN will be implemented within the coming fortnight.
A similar stand-off between residents and council contractors in Chiswick was ended this Wednesday evening when workmen sealed off the site at which barriers were to be placed on Staveley Road to allow the LTN project to be completed. Previously opponents of the scheme had occupied the site to prevent work beginning.
A council spokesperson said, “There are clearly many strong views on low traffic neighbourhoods held by residents on both sides and we would urge local people to have patience throughout this ongoing process. This project is about engaging with the whole community and we are seeking the views of everyone throughout the trial period.
“Whilst we understand that feelings may be strong and some residents have expressed dislike of these trial LTNs, but we would discourage this action taken some residents in this particular case. We would ask residents to allow our contractors to carry out their work.
“We have a decision-making process that encourages real-time feedback during the trial and a consultation to help decide whether each LTN will become permanent. We encourage everyone to have their say.”
Residents can visit the low traffic neighbourhoods' page of the council’s website for further information on the schemes.
Residents can email feedback to TrafficNotices@ealing.gov.uk, or post them to the Highways Service, Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, W5 2HL, quoting reference ORD XXX.
An online petition against LTNs in Ealing has been signed by over 8,000 people. A counter petition in support of the new schemes has, at the time of writing, over 500 signatures.
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October 1, 2020