I am a resident of Islington , and like many of my neighbours, I face the daily frustration of not being able to freely drive in and out of our own neighbourhood due to the restrictions imposed by the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme. While the intention behind LTNs—to reduce traffic congestion and promote cleaner air—is commendable, the implementation lacks consideration for the very people who live within these areas.

Currently, residents are forced to take extended routes through the outskirts of our neighbourhoods, increasing our journey times substantially. This not only contributes to higher levels of pollution, as cars are on the road for longer, but also adds unnecessary stress to our daily lives. As a musician I need to load my car close to my house and unload, which luckily I can do.. but unfortunately for me my parking zone is on the other side of the LTN, this makes it a 2.8 mile drive to park either having to navigate Holloway Road and Highbury corner or Seven Sisters and Finsbury Park. I am not the only person this affects. These detours have made life more difficult—not just for us, but for the countless individuals with similar responsibilities.

Data from Transport for London (TfL) shows that while Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) can reduce traffic within designated areas, there have also been concerns about traffic displacement onto surrounding roads in some locations. Where traffic is displaced and journeys become longer or more congested, this could potentially increase fuel consumption and emissions, potentially undermining some of the environmental benefits intended by LTNs.

Moreover, our local merchants and businesses have suffered devastating declines in revenue because of reduced access, affecting the economic vibrancy of communities like Stoke Newington. It is essential for our local council to recognize these issues and modify their approach to be more inclusive of resident needs.

I propose a controlled resident access system that allows those living within LTNs to move in and out without needing to drive miles out of their way. This could be achieved through residential permits, similar to schemes in areas like Bristol, which balance the goals of reducing through-traffic and meeting the needs of residents. Such a system would ensure LTNs improve quality of life without compromising the fundamental freedoms of its inhabitants.

Let’s call on our local leaders to revisit the current regulations and adapt them with a fairer perspective that accounts for the realities of those living within LTNs. Sign this petition to make our communities both greener and more livable for everyone.