A study of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in London by Furlong and others at Westminster University found a one third decrease in all injuries and a slightly higher decrease in people killed or seriously injured (https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/early/2025/07/06/ip-2024-045571). This is really encouraging and suggests (in line with Barbara Stevens' suggestion of more Putney-based material, which would also be a welcome relief from the endless discussions on Israel/Gaza) that it’s something to take up here. But Wandsworth, under known petrol-head Simon Hogg, have been tediously slow in introducing LTNs, and perhaps this research might stir even him into action.
One area I know well is around Lower Richmond Road. Erpingham, Hotham and Felsham Roads are plagued by rat runners trying to save a few seconds in the approach to Putney Bridge, and the nominally no through road on the Embankment is similarly badly affected. So here’s a specific suggestion: make the areas bounded (a) by Erpingham, Lacy, Hotham and the Lower Richmond Roads and (b) Festing and Lower Richmond Roads, Thames Place and the Embankment into LTNs. By careful planning it would be possible to free residents to access the areas but it would exclude rat runners. The result: wins all round (except for the minor delays that the latter would have to “suffer”).
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