Theme: Public Policy | Content Type: Journal article

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and the Paradox of UK Government Control of the Active Travel Agenda

David Banister, Geoff Dudley and Tim Schwanen

Matt Seymour LTN

Matt Seymour

| 1 min read

Low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) are designed to remove motorised traffic from residential streets, while leaving them permeable to pedestrians and cyclists, and they have become a popular means to promote active travel. During the recent pandemic, the government introduced the Active Travel Fund in England to facilitate the rapid implementation of LTNs, but this also resulted in a powerful top-down control element. This in turn has resulted in a paradox where funding is contingent on certain conditions being met, but insufficient and changing guidance has been given to the local authorities charged with implementation. This article outlines this highly unpredictable process, the controversies and the uncertain implementation through the development of the LTN process in England and the experience of Oxford, where many of the issues are currently being confronted.

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  • David Banister

    David Banister

    David Banister is Professor Emeritus of Transport Studies at the University of Oxford.

    Articles by David Banister
  • Geoff-Dudley_avatar.png

    Geoff Dudley

    Geoff Dudley is Visiting Research Associate in the Transport Studies Unit at the University of Oxford.

    Articles by Geoff Dudley
  • Tim-Schwanen_avatar.png

    Tim Schwanen

    Tim Schwanen is Director of the Transport Studies Unit at the University of Oxford.

    Articles by Tim Schwanen
Volume 95, Issue 4

Latest Journal Article

Volume 95, Issue 4

This issue features a collection 'Responding to Rachel Reeves' Mais Lecture', in which authors including Dan Corry, Aveek Bhattacharya and Kira Gartzou-Katsouyanni give their analyses of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's statement of economic policy given before Labour came to power. In addition there is a collection featuring Geoffrey M. Hodgson, Abby Innes and Gavin Kelly responding to Michael Jacobs' assessment of today's global 'polycrisis'. Other articles include Philippe Marlière's assessment of why French social democracy is in turmoil; and Helen Margetts, Cosmina Dorobantu, and Jonathan Bright's piece on building progressive public services with artificial intelligence. A selection of book reviews feature Dick Pountain's review of Left Is Not Woke by Susan Neiman, and Helen McCarthy's review of The Solidarity Economy: Nonprofits and the Making of Neoliberalism after Empire by Tehila Sasson.

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