Council set to make Ferndale its fifth permanent LTN

Lambeth council is proposing to make the Ferndale Low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) permanent and to introduce “improvements” to make the route healthier, more pleasant, and accessible for everyone.

The council said today (15 August) that the LTN was introduced as an emergency measure during the Covid-19 pandemic to limit motor vehicle traffic on designated roads to protect public health and support local transport services.

“Throughout the trial period, the council measured key objectives such as reducing road danger, encouraging people to travel in more active and healthy ways, supporting the local economy, making high streets more pleasant and improving air quality,” it said.

The council said an extensive public consultation earlier this year found the majority of respondents “felt positively” about the scheme.

It said that, following feedback from residents and businesses, a series of road improvements that support residents and businesses have been included in the proposals.

These include:

• An e-cargo bike rental scheme launched on Pulross Road, hosted by Papa’s Café.
• Delivering sustainable travel improvements such as cycle training and more bike hangars. 
• Introduction of dropped kerbs and measures to make the area more accessible for everyone. 
• Four “rain gardens” will be installed at the junction of Dalyell and Combermere roads, and a new 1,600 square metre sustainable drainage system.
• An improved crossing on Bedford Road from Ferndale Road.

The council said it would also review options for reducing through traffic on Landor Road and extra space would be created in Ferndale Road West to allow vehicles to pass one another more easily.

The council earlier this year adopted a climate action plan that sets out key objectives that are required to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

One is to lower overall motor vehicle traffic by 27 per cent using a range of measures to make local journeys safer and more enjoyable to walk or cycle.

The council said a recently published monitoring report found the total volume of motor vehicles in the LTN had reduced by 47 per cent.

Overall, traffic reduced by 6 per cent – around 6,000 vehicles a day – on internal and boundary roads of the LTN.

The number of cycle journeys on internal streets rose by 58 per cent, while there was a 55 percent increase in cycling on boundary roads.

Levels of pollution have reduced on some roads within and around the Ferndale scheme, according to the monitoring report,

The council said the proposals for Ferndale LTN are the fifth scheme it has considered, following decisions to make permanent the Railton, Oval to Stockwell, Streatham Hill, and Tulse Hill LTNs.

Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for sustainable lambeth and clean Air, said: “The proposals to make Ferndale low traffic neighbourhood permanent are very welcome.

“Throughout the trial phase we have seen the level of vehicle traffic reduce. However, we want to be clear in saying there is still more to do across Lambeth.

“We are committed to listening to feedback to build on the success of the LTN in the future.

“The current LTNs alone will not solve traffic issues across the borough, so we are looking at making further improvements in neighbourhoods and with our partners at TfL on main roads.

“We believe we can all do our bit to raise air quality by leaving our cars at home for short trips and consider walking or cycling instead.”

In December last year, the council proposed exemptions from its LTN regulations for certain vehicles and drivers including Blue Badge holders, taxis and rapid response healthcare workers. Its current proposal would see Blue Badge holders allowed to pass certain LTN boundaries, but not across the whole borough. Emergency service vehicles, pedal cycles, buses and certain other vehicles carrying out statutory duties were already exempt.

In April this year, the Appeal Court rejected attempts to block LTNs in the borough.

See the council’s full proposal