Norfolk Council Council considers introducing controversial 'Low Traffic Neighbourhoods'
The schemes have proven highly controversial elsewhere in the country
Norfolk County Council has said that it may impose highly-controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) in the area.
The authority confirmed it was exploring the possibility of introducing the measures, which restrict the movement of vehicles through residential areas.
The schemes are designed to reduce traffic and cut rat-running by blocking certain streets with planters or bollards, or using surveillance cameras.
They have generated huge controversy in other parts of the country, with opponents setting fire to street furniture used to enforce the zones and protests attracting thousands of people.
Critics say LTNs force more traffic onto surrounding roads, cause delays to emergency services and restrict freedom of movement for some people who rely on cars.
However, their supporters say they are good for the environment and create more pleasant communities, by driving down car ownership and getting people to switch to cycling and walking.
County Hall has not said where LTNs could be imposed in Norfolk, but in other parts of the country they have been created in urban residential areas.
The possibility of creating them here emerged at a recent meeting of Norfolk County Council’s cabinet, where councillors faced questions from members of the public.
Dale Rea asked if such measures might be introduced and whether the public would be consulted.
Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, confirmed the authority was investigating the option.
He pledged the council would work with local communities to reduce the impact of unnecessary traffic in neighbourhoods and support active travel.
“This will involve the investigation of different measures based around the principle of healthy streets, that could include LTNs, school streets and lower speed limits,” he said.
“This work is at a very early stage and there are no firm plans at the current time.
“The development of any scheme such as a Low Traffic Neighbourhood, in the future, anywhere in Norfolk, would need to be in consultation with local elected representatives, the local community and other local stakeholders.”
Mr Rea criticised the response he received from Mr Plant calling it “vague and nonspecific”.
LTNs are distinct from 20-minute neighbourhoods, another planning concept for creating communities where people should be able to walk to and from basic amenities like shops and parks in 15 or 20 minutes.
Norfolk County Council has previously said it is interested in exploring the idea of these neighbourhoods, which have also generated huge controversy.
Amid growing internet claims about the concept, some believe 20-minute neighbourhoods are a precursor to people needing to have permits to make car journeys and ‘climate lockdowns’, with people forced to stay in their homes to protect the environment.
County council officers and councillors attended a recent meeting in Thetford, where they insisted that was not the intention.
LTNs are also unrelated to clean air zones, which are intended to improve air quality by imposing charges on vehicles according to how much they pollute.
However, there is a growing debate about all three initiatives, which are perceived by critics as being ‘anti-car’.
WHAT ARE LTNs AND WHY ARE THEY SO CONTROVERSIAL?
Millions of pounds have been handed to councils for creating LTNs as part of a government promise, made by then chancellor Rishi Sunak, to spend £2bn by 2025 on cycle lanes and encouraging other forms of active travel such as walking.
More than 300 LTNs have been set up or planned, though none in Norfolk.
Many councils have hailed them as a success in tackling congestion and pollution.
The schemes include pop-up cycle lanes, wider pavements and closing streets to cars while policing the new rules with warning signs, CCTV cameras and fines for drivers breaking them.
But critics say they are often poorly thought out, built at short notice with little consultation and accuse councils of using them to raise cash from motorists, while damaging nearby businesses.
They also say traffic is simply pushed elsewhere, creating worse congestion and pollution on other main roads during their commute to work or the school run.
Some have also argued that some LTNs divert traffic from more affluent areas into poorer neighbourhoods.
There are also concerns about planters and bollards causing delays to 999 calls.
An analysis earlier this year showed that almost 240 London ambulances were delayed on callouts by the schemes.
Other fears are that some people who rely on cars – such as those with disabilities – may find their freedom of movement restricted.
Many schemes have been targeted by vandals, with arson attacks on street furniture used to enforce the zones.