Ferndale Low Traffic Neighbourhood

The Ferndale LTN helps to make it safer and easier to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle by stopping cars, vans and other vehicles from using quiet streets as shortcuts.

In 2020 we introduced the Ferndale LTN in response to the impact of Covid-19 on travel in the borough. However, LTNs were something we had been considering before the pandemic as part of our long-term transport strategy, which launched in 2019. The Ferndale LTN and other similar schemes were introduced more quickly than planned because we needed to help people travel safely and sustainably whilst capacity on public transport was dramatically reduced.

Following monitoring and public consultation on the scheme, we decided to make it permanent in August 2022.

What is an LTN?

Low traffic neighbourhoods make it safer and easier to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle by stopping cars, vans and other vehicles from using quiet streets as shortcuts. Over time, LTNs can encourage people to switch from driving to more sustainable ways of travelling, like walking, public transport and cycling. This is one of the ways we can tackle the climate emergency in Lambeth.

The impact of the LTN and our future plans

Following the emergency introduction of the LTN, we have been monitoring the impact on local traffic, cycling and air quality and have been responding to resident feedback on the scheme.

In February 2022, we published data that showed the scheme was successfully reducing traffic in the  area and increasing cycling.

As a result, we announced we were considering making the scheme permanent and held a public consultation to hear people's views on the trial.

We analysed the consultation responses and data on the impact of the scheme before deciding to make the scheme permanent in August 2022.

Our monitoring found that:

Overall, traffic reduced by 6%, or around 6000 vehicles a day, when measuring traffic volumes on all the roads within the LTN and on the boundary roads

Traffic reduced by 47% on internal streets. On boundary roads (external streets) it increased by 8%

Significant reductions in traffic on Concannon Road (94%), Sandmere Road (79%), Ferndale Road East - close to the Ferndale Community Sports Centre (83%), Dalyell Road near Lansdowne School (68%)

Cycling has increased by 58% on internal roads and by 55% on external roads

Specific roads with big increases in cycling include Combermere Road (99%), Ferndale Road East (215%), Hargwyne Street (104%) and Sandmere Road (67%)

Traffic has increased on some roads and we are looking into ways to improve this, outlined in ‘Improving the LTN’.

All the places where we analysed air quality that was classed as sensitive, such as outside schools and care homes, had air quality within legal limits. This includes sensitive sites on boundary roads

Overall air quality in Lambeth is improving, partly due to measures such as the Ultra-Low Emission Zone. We expect to see greater improvements over time

Ferndale LTN monitoring reports

We have published two monitoring reports on the Ferndale LTN. These contain detailed data on the impact of the scheme.

View the stage one monitoring report

View the stage two monitoring report

Read more about the scheme

This project is one of five low traffic neighbourhoods that were accelerated as part of our emergency response to the coronavirus pandemic. Our Low Traffic Neighbourhood programme is an important part of our transport strategy and climate action plan to reduce traffic across the borough by 27% by 2030. You can read more about other projects in the programme.