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Today is a big day for the #RailtonLTN, because it's the day that the first Equalities Analysis of the new LTN is published.
Put simply -- it's a report looking into whether wins for some residents means losses for others.
Here's what the report found:
Put simply -- it's a report looking into whether wins for some residents means losses for others.
Here's what the report found:
The first thing the report dives into is who is covered by the LTN. The scheme itself overlaps Herne Hill and Coldharbour wards, but Tulse Hill can expect to be affected too.
Among those folks, here are the stats that are worth knowing when it comes to why our LTN is so important.
First off -- Less than 37% of all residents in and around the project area have access to a private motor vehicle. If you're driving, you're in the minority.
First off -- Less than 37% of all residents in and around the project area have access to a private motor vehicle. If you're driving, you're in the minority.
Despite that fact, this area is in the top 20% of London for traffic levels and air pollution.
What does that mean? Put simply -- we're not making the pollution, but we're suffering from it.
What does that mean? Put simply -- we're not making the pollution, but we're suffering from it.
When it comes to access to a car there are definitely winners and losers in our neighbourhood.
Car ownership is highest among white Londoners ﴾43%﴿ in comparison to only 30% of Black Londoners.
Car ownership is highest among white Londoners ﴾43%﴿ in comparison to only 30% of Black Londoners.
Gender comes into play too. Women are less likely to own a car than men, with 34% of women having access to a car vs
46% of men.
A car dependent Lambeth is not working for women or BAME residents.
46% of men.
A car dependent Lambeth is not working for women or BAME residents.
In a pre-COVID world, 62% of local residents rely primarily on public transport for access to work, education or training.
But for many of these folk, as we've seen, jumping in a car instead won't be an option.
But for many of these folk, as we've seen, jumping in a car instead won't be an option.
So if the majority of local residents don't have access to cars, then where is all that traffic coming from?
Data shows most drivers are starting AND ending their journeys outside of the neighbourhood, but cutting through out of convenience.
Data shows most drivers are starting AND ending their journeys outside of the neighbourhood, but cutting through out of convenience.
This is good news for local residents who should expect to see a 75-100% reduction in traffic going through their area.
Shakespeare Road (North) residents will have 2700 fewer cars going past their house every day.
For Railton Road it's even better, with 4575 less vehicles expected.
That's a life-changing reduction of traffic for these residents.
For Railton Road it's even better, with 4575 less vehicles expected.
That's a life-changing reduction of traffic for these residents.
But what does this mean for surrounding streets who aren't within the LTN? The assessment looked at the impacts on...
Coldharbour Lane
Milkwood Road
Dulwich Road
Brixton Water Lane
Effra Road
Tulse Hill
Coldharbour Lane Milkwood Road Dulwich Road Brixton Water Lane Effra Road Tulse Hill
Data from comparable projects, combined with the fact that similar traffic reduction schemes are happening in neighbouring Dulwich indicates that overall these surrounding streets should expect to see a 10% reduction in their pre-LTN traffic levels.
That's right, reduction.
That's right, reduction.
That's not the only good news. The traffic that is still there should be considerably less congested considering most cars will no longer have reason to turn onto Coldharbour Lane and Dulwich Road -- allowing that traffic to flow faster.
Significantly reducing turning will make the area a hell of a lot safer too. That means we'll expect less collisions on the local infamous intersections like Coldharbour Lane and Atlantic Road.
And the clever use of controlled parking zones means residents who live on roads with planters can park on whichever side of the planter they approach from. This might mean a longer walk to their parked car, but their time in the car won't need to increase.
There is an area where more data is needed -- and that concerns those with mobility disabilities. Right now we don't know how many people won't be able to make that longer walk to their car. It's vital we find out and ensure they aren't negatively impacted by the scheme.
And while air quality is expected to improve across the entire area -- NO2 monitoring is happening to ensure air pollution doesn't affect some more than others.
Now we know how the LTN is expected to effect people living in different parts of the neighbourhood, but how do we expect it will impact different groups of people? That's been covered too.
Older people should expect social distancing to be easier with more room on the pavement, and should be safer moving around on foot. Their journey times may increase, but they will always have access to wherever they need to go.
Children should find it easier to play, to breathe and to live (given the threat of road danger will be greatly diminished).
Disabled people will benefit from a more inclusive street environment, with safer roads allowing them to cycle, scoot, or use a wheelchair with greater ease.
For BAME residents, this scheme should help those who want to cycle to get started, diminish the negative impacts of other people's driving and provide a boom for local black-owned businesses.
And for the lower income residents who don't have access to a car -- this scheme will ensure they can still get to work in a way that is safe and enjoyable even if public transport isn't an option.
Put briefly -- the equalities assessment has shown NO SIGNIFICANT EQUALITIES IMPACTS for Railton LTN. In short, we'll all win.
We have to keep monitoring to ensure this remains the case, but it's a brilliant start.
So let's celebrate
We have to keep monitoring to ensure this remains the case, but it's a brilliant start.
So let's celebrate
Want to read the assessment for yourself? Here's the link -- https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/commonplace-customer-assets/rtstreets/EQIA%20Railton%20Phase%201.pdf
