Controversial West Ealing and Hanwell LTN To Be Scrapped
Residents promised final say on schemes before they are made permanent
Traffic on Swyncombe Avenue. Picture: Facebook
Ealing Council has decided to scrap the controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme in West Ealing and Hanwell (LTN21).
It says that the start of work on nearby roads by Hounslow Council next Monday (24 May) will make the scheme unworkable. Hounslow intends to restrict access from Boston Manor Road onto Swyncombe Avenue for eight weeks which would have reduced the number of through routes in the area further.
The LTN will be removed this weekend before the Swyncombe Avenue restriction takes effect with traffic controls reverting to how they were before the implementation of the scheme
The council now says that it will give local people the final say on any traffic measures in their neighbourhood. A survey held by CAMTAG, a local residents’ group showed that 78% of respondents were opposed to the scheme. It will be looking to consult on smaller sections of LTN 21 which did receive a measure of support from some local residents.
Ealing Council’s new leadership team has also promised a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) style consultation on each LTN in the borough, keeping schemes that work and are supported, and removing those that do not.
New council leader Peter Mason said, “Ealing Council promised to listen to local people’s views on active travel initiatives like LTNs, and we have done just that. The decision on LTN 21 has been brought forward because of the closure of Swyncombe Avenue and we will be ending the trial this weekend.
“Remaining LTNs will be subject to a CPZ style consultation, with a vote for local people on whether they think the LTNs will work in their neighbourhoods.
“I’ve pledged that the council I lead will be open, transparent and inclusive. That means being honest about what works and what doesn’t.
“This decision is about giving local people control over change in their neighbourhoods. Our commitment to tackling the climate emergency and enabling active travel and cycling remains unchanged, but we know we must take people with us.”
Cllr Deirdre Costigan, Cabinet member for Climate Action said, “We are more committed than ever to tackling the climate emergency and reaching our goal of net carbon neutral by 2030. But tackling the climate emergency means we will all have to make changes to our lives, and as a council we will need to work much harder to persuade and encourage people to reduce reliance on unnecessary car journeys.
“Implementing active travel initiatives without community support is unsustainable – we can’t do this without the support of local people.
“We know that people in Ealing want a cleaner, greener borough with less traffic and congestion, with different views on what we need to do to get there.
“We look forward to working with the thousands of people who have become more passionate and engaged in the future of their neighbourhoods because of the LTN debate to make our borough a better place to live for everyone.”
There are currently eight remaining 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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May 21, 2021