Tulse Hill Low Traffic Neighbourhood Stage One Monitoring Report

A report on the impact of the Tulse Hill low traffic neighbourhood. This stage one report is part of our continuous monitoring of the scheme.

Community feedback analysis

The analysis identified that while there is a general desire for cleaner air, safer streets and less traffic. There are various ideas around how to achieve this.

For those enjoying the scheme, we received comments and emails about first time cyclists and feeling safer walking around the area. Residents reported less noise and air pollution, less tension on the roads and consequentially a calmer public realm. There was a keen interest in when the LTN will be formally enforced with cameras and how the council will prevent vandalism.

There are two main concerns about the scheme. Residents would like to understand the impact on boundary roads in particular, the A23 (Brixton Hill) and the A205 (Christchurch Road). The other main concern is access, with added journey times for specific vehicle user groups.

Benefits raised

Below are some of the benefits raised by the community in relation to the low traffic neighbourhood. All benefits are being considered as we monitor the scheme and we look to further enhance it.

Traffic

  • fewer HGVs, vans and trucks observed
  • prevents well-known rat-runs between Tulse Hill and Brixton Hill
  • reduces speeding
  • reduces risk of collision on corners

Health

  • encourages new cyclists
  • liberating
  • better quality of life

Travel

  • safer for cycling
  • safer for walking
  • safer for jogging
  • safer for rollerblading
  • safer for families and young children

Environment

  • reduces air pollution
  • reduces noise pollution
  • improves air quality

Local context and community

  • increases visibility of local shops and businesses
  • observation area is more peaceful
  • observation area is much quieter
  • feeling community is strengthened
  • belief there is less tension

Concerns

Below are some of the concerns raised by the community in relation to the low traffic neighbourhood. All concerns are being considered as we monitor the scheme and introduce supporting measures such as enforcement, better signage and filter alterations.

Traffic

  • congestion at modal filters with vehicles performing u-turns
  • more congestion on main roads such as Brixton Water Lane, A205, A204, A23

Access

  • increased journey times for:
    • people with mobility issues
    • school run
    • services to the area
    • key workers
    • emergency services
    • deliveries
  • lack of exemptions in particular licensed taxis

Enforcement

  • concern around observation
  • belief it is a ‘money-making scheme’

ASB

  • fear the area will be less safe at night

Environment

  • ore pollution on main roads such as Brixton Water Lane, A205, A204, A23

Mental health

  • concern the scheme is damaging for mental health and stress levels

Local context and community

  • worry about the potential for increased division (road rage, community sentiment, socioeconomic and race)
  • concern for the impact on local businesses
  • hard to drop children at multiple schools by car

Communication

  • frustration at lack of public consultation to date
  • belief there is a false connection to Covid-19 mitigation

Inequality

  • more social housing on main roads than residential roads

Suggested improvements

This section highlights suggested improvements in and around the area raised by members of the community. 

Suggestions came from respondents who support the scheme and respondents who would like to see alternatives introduced.

Scheme as a whole

  • more cycle hangars
  • more cycle lanes
  • more shared bike and electric scooter schemes
  • more bike crossings
  • maintenance of old cycle network signage
  • restrictions on SUVs
  • more support for electrical vehicles
  • better signage of LTN
  • improve CPZs in local area
  • improvements to Hillworth Road
  • zebra crossing on Tulse Hill between Cressingham Estate and Hillworth Road
  • improve A23/A205 Junction
  • improve hazards on pavements for pedestrians ie bins, trees etc
  • resident exemptions

Location specific

Arodene Road

  • supporting measures in Brixton Hill
  • signage to warn on Beechdale and Fairmount Road
  • resident exemption
  • improve congestion on Josephine Avenue

Leander Road

  • improve/repair signage that was part of the London Cycling Network
  • introduce play streets
  • monitor impact on Effra Road

Elm Park

  • introduce speed bumps
  • improve public realm outside Elm Park businesses

Roupell Road

  • improve pedestrian crossing at Tulse Hill junction
  • Make Roupell Road a ’one way’ street (from Christchurch Road to Upper Tulse Hill)
  • Upgrade existing pelican crossing on Christchurch Road to a toucan crossing, with footway designated shared space to allow cyclists to cross

Upper Tulse Hill

  • improve bike storage
  • more shared bike and electric scooter schemes
  • restrictions on SUVs and other wide axle cars
  • consider exemptions ie buses transporting people with mobility needs or special needs, eg the school buses for Elm Court School.
  • tackle speeding on Claverdale Road
  • more speed mitigation measures
  • make road single lane

Cotherstone Road

  • more speed calming measures
  • indicate cycle route with signage
  • more warning signage on Maplestead Road
  • timed closures
  • ensure residents retain parking access