The council say the scheme has improved air quality in a notoriously congested area.
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Fulham’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme will be made permanent after being introduced a year ago. The Clean Air Neighbourhood project aims to reduce traffic and pollution, but not all locals are on board.
The area affected by the scheme is in the south of the borough, in an area the council says is “notoriously congested”. A second Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) trial in the East of Fulham has already been made permanent in 2021. The Labour-run council say that a total of 15,000 fewer cars are on the streets every day across the two areas.
According to council estimates, 0.65 tonnes fewer of nitrogen oxide is polluting the air after the scheme was introduced. They also underscore the environmental benefits of the traffic reduction, with 0.9 fewer tonnes of carbon emissions released every day.
“We can finally get moving”
Noreen Goodwin has lived in Fulham nearly 30 years. Image used with permission for City News
Noreen Goodwin is co-chair of Clean SW6, a community group who support the traffic reduction scheme. She told City News that after a year of the trial, the roads seem to be moving better and it’s easier to get around.
“For the residents, it’s great for us because we can finally get moving to where we want to go.”
Over 100,000 drivers have been given a £130 penalty fine for driving through LTNs in the borough. Noreen Goodwin said she acknowledges the scheme has financial benefits for the council. Still, she thinks the benefits to clean air are worth it.
Clean SW6 have polled support for the scheme and say 65% of local residents prefer it. However Fulham Conservative MP, Greg Hands, has been openly critical of the scheme. He released research conducted by his office last year which claimed 70% of residents oppose the traffic restrictions.
“It’s obliterated public transport”
Local resident Donald Grant says he’s struggled to raise his concerns to the council. CREDIT: Charlie Pritchard for City News
Not all those who live in the neighbourhood are happy about the plans. Donald Grant claims the scheme has “obliterated public transport”, and made it much harder to get a bus. He even says taxi services like Uber avoid the area because, unlike buses and black cabs, they are not exempt from charges. Often Uber drivers are forced to leave their passengers streets away from their home, according to local reports.
The issues for locals getting home have become so bad that an Instagram page and WhatsApp chat has been set up. It aims to offer support for women and girls who are forced to walk home from the main road when taxis refuse to take them back to their houses because of traffic restrictions. Noreen Goodwin says she’s aware of the issue, and thinks the scheme needs “tweaking” to allow exemptions for those coming home at night.
Mr Grant added that he’s struggled to make his concerns known to the council, and says public engagement needs to be improved.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have not responded to City News’ request for comment.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineFulham Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme to be permanent
Short HeadlineFulham LTN to be made permanent
StandfirstDespite resulting in 7,000 fewer cars a day, some residents are angry about the plans.
Fulham’s Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme will be made permanent after being introduced a year ago. The Clean Air Neighbourhood project aims to reduce traffic and pollution, but not all locals are on board.
The area affected by the scheme is in the south of the borough, in an area the council says is “notoriously congested”. A second Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) trial in the East of Fulham has already been made permanent in 2021. The Labour-run council say that a total of 15,000 fewer cars are on the streets every day across the two areas.
According to council estimates, 0.65 tonnes fewer of nitrogen oxide is polluting the air after the scheme was introduced. They also underscore the environmental benefits of the traffic reduction, with 0.9 fewer tonnes of carbon emissions released every day.
“We can finally get moving”
Noreen Goodwin has lived in Fulham nearly 30 years. Image used with permission for City News
Noreen Goodwin is co-chair of Clean SW6, a community group who support the traffic reduction scheme. She told City News that after a year of the trial, the roads seem to be moving better and it’s easier to get around.
“For the residents, it’s great for us because we can finally get moving to where we want to go.”
Over 100,000 drivers have been given a £130 penalty fine for driving through LTNs in the borough. Noreen Goodwin said she acknowledges the scheme has financial benefits for the council. Still, she thinks the benefits to clean air are worth it.
Clean SW6 have polled support for the scheme and say 65% of local residents prefer it. However Fulham Conservative MP, Greg Hands, has been openly critical of the scheme. He released research conducted by his office last year which claimed 70% of residents oppose the traffic restrictions.
“It’s obliterated public transport”
Local resident Donald Grant says he’s struggled to raise his concerns to the council. CREDIT: Charlie Pritchard for City News
Not all those who live in the neighbourhood are happy about the plans. Donald Grant claims the scheme has “obliterated public transport”, and made it much harder to get a bus. He even says taxi services like Uber avoid the area because, unlike buses and black cabs, they are not exempt from charges. Often Uber drivers are forced to leave their passengers streets away from their home, according to local reports.
The issues for locals getting home have become so bad that an Instagram page and WhatsApp chat has been set up. It aims to offer support for women and girls who are forced to walk home from the main road when taxis refuse to take them back to their houses because of traffic restrictions. Noreen Goodwin says she’s aware of the issue, and thinks the scheme needs “tweaking” to allow exemptions for those coming home at night.
Mr Grant added that he’s struggled to make his concerns known to the council, and says public engagement needs to be improved.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council have not responded to City News’ request for comment.
