Britons looking to get on a specific bus route in London could face journey times of two hours to travel just three miles because of a controversial low traffic neighbourhood.
Lambeth Council has been accused of going ahead with the LTN scheme despite a risk assessment finding that it would increase congestion on boundary roads.
Bus operators said they were not consulted about the plans and blamed the delays on the Streatham Wells low traffic neighbourhood.
Traffic delays at peak times have become so bad that buses are being diverted around and even through the zone to avoid gridlock.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing motoring@gbnews.uk
Data from Transport for London shows that the A23, which runs along the western side of the LTN, became so overwhelmed that one bus took 121 minutes to travel 2.9 miles.
According to the Times, the bus routes were scheduled to last only 29 minutes, making it twice as slow for people to have walked the distance.
A further 75 per cent of buses on another route diverted through the LTN during rush hour while another service drove through the area.
As part of the Government’s Plan for Drivers, it was announced that there would be new guidance for low traffic neighbourhoods.
This would “focus on the importance of local support, and consider as part of the LTN review how to address existing LTNs that have not secured local consent”.
It follows plans from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to crack down on the LTNs and other “anti-motorist” schemes outlined by councils.
Speaking at the time, a Government spokesperson said the review would ensure that measures would “work for residents, businesses and emergency services”.
Tom Cunnington, Transport for London’s head of buses, said: “We are sorry passengers continue to experience delays to services in Streatham — this is not in line with the level of service we aim to provide.”
Transport for London continues to back the use of LTNs, highlighting research from the University of Westminster’s Active Travel Academy that found LTNs reduce traffic within the zones and only marginally increase traffic on boundary roads.
Cunnington added: “New infrastructure, including well-planned LTNs, play a vital role in keeping everyone safe and making it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle.”
In the first three months of the new LTN being in place, the council generated £320,000 in fines.
Local resident Stephen Hall, who runs the Streatham Stuff website, said: “It’s four months into the scheme and buses on the High Road are still regularly getting stuck for an hour in the congestion.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
"Lambeth Council seems to have hugely underestimated the amount of damage and disruption the LTN would cause.”
