West Ealing and Hanwell LTN Survey Shows Massive Opposition
Over three quarters of residents who responded want changes removed
One of the barriers within LTN21. Picture: John Townley
Coldershaw and Midhurst Traffic Action Group (CAMTAG) has published the results of its interim survey into a West Ealing Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme – LTN21.
A team of 80 volunteers distributed leaflets to 5,807 households within the scheme boundaries at the end of last month. 1360 responses were received, a participation rate of 23%. Of those 78% said they wished the road changes to be removed with just 19% of respondents in favour of their retention.
76% said that the changes had made their area a worse place to live in and there was little variation of opinion after the changes made by Ealing Council to the scheme in February of this year.
The results are similar to those shown by the comments received on the council's Commonplace consultation system.
In August 2020, Ealing Council installed the LTN consisting of 11 roadblocks across the area making it one of the largest such zones in the country.
For the purposes of the survey CAMTAG divided LTN21 into five zones to allow the views of sectors with similar characteristics to be reported separately.
Zone A: BROADWAY Streets able to exit to The Broadway only
Zone B: NORTHFIELDS Streets able to exit to Northfield Ave only
Zone C: BOSTON Streets able to exit to Boston Road and Boston Gardens only
Zone D: MONTAGUE A distinct and discrete area of Hanwell
Zone E: BORDERS Streets on the east, south and west borders of LTN21.
Zone E showed the highest level of opposition to the scheme with 94% of residents wanting it removed. In Zone D there was an even split between residents for and against retention of the scheme.
In all areas there was overwhelming dissatisfaction with the way Ealing Council consulted residents about the schemes.
CAMTAG's division of LTN21 into zones
CAMTAG will now analyse the comments made by residents who participated in the survey. These will be used in the development of the planned full survey on the scheme to be done in the summer which will be published at the end of the official consultation period on the scheme.
The results have been sent to senior officers of Ealing Council, local councillors, the two local MPs and the area’s London Assembly members. We have asked Ealing Council for a comment on the survey results but have yet to receive a response.
CAMTAG was founded by residents within LTN21 who were of the belief that the scheme was badly designed and could have a seriously adverse effect on the neighbourhood and actually increase congestion and pollution. It believes the LTN draws a roadblock barrier across the spine of the area, Coldershaw and Midhurst Roads, as well as severing the link between Leighton Road and Northfield Avenue.
On 29 September 2020 CAMTAG joined with other Ealing LTN groups in a legal challenge to the Orders used to implement the LTNs. This led to the Council having to issue new Orders, including for LTN21, and as a consequence to extend the public consultation period to August 2021.
The results of the survey may also have some bearing on any legal challenge to the scheme. CAMTAG plans to carry out a more comprehensive survey in the summer using primarily door-to-door visits supported by postal and online options.
A march against LTNs in Ealing is being held on Saturday 24 April organised by the Ealing Low Traffic Neighbourhood Residents Action Group assembling at 3pm in Blondin Park before progressing to Perceval House.
There are currently nine LTNs being trialled in Ealing. You can also have your say on LTNs in the borough via the council’s Commonplace website.
Residents can visit the low traffic neighbourhoods' page of Ealing council's website for further information on the schemes it has already implemented.
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April 22, 2021