Residents protest against new Low Traffic Neighbourhood trial in Streatham
Valley Road is part of a group of streets that make up Lambeth Council’s Streatham Wells Low Traffic Neighbourhood trial.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A group of local residents blocked cars on a road in south London as part of a protest against the area becoming a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN).
Valley Road is part of a group of streets that make up Lambeth Council’s Streatham Wells Low Traffic Neighbourhood trial.
As part of the trial, only buses and taxis are able to enter Valley Road from both ends, with motorists who take the same route facing a fine of £130 from next Monday.
Locals say the signs are difficult to see, and argue that the introduction of the LTN has made traffic on the surrounding streets worse.
Julian Heather, 69, said that the LTN had been introduced “without proper consultation”.
“The LTN for Streatham Wells Ward has been introduced without proper consultation,” he said.
“They never asked people if they wanted it, yes or no, they just imposed it.
“And now they’ve got all the signage wrong, there’s not enough signage, and it’s not adequate. So the poor drivers are getting fined, particularly if they don’t live in the LTN area as they won’t have got anything through their door. And all they will know is when they get the letter saying you’ve got a penalty charge notice.”
A camera to catch motorists on the road had been turned skywards by unknown vigilantes, rendering it useless.
While the residents had placed a stop sign on a cone that read “Stop the road closures”.
Mr Heather said that the local residents had spent the day trying to stop motorists from driving down the road.
Despite the signs and the residents’ best efforts, several cars still drove down it.
“We’re trying to just point out the signs, because they’re not very visible,” Mr Heather said.
“And just say, ‘don’t come down here’, otherwise you get a £130 fine.”
A group of cyclists stopped by Valley Road to say that they supported the introduction of the LTN, leading to an argument with some of the local residents.
The cyclists quickly left the scene.
Another resident, Priscilla, 74, who declined to give her second name, said that all the council had done was push the traffic onto other roads
“They’ve pushed it somewhere else, that’s all they’ve done,” she said.
She added: “I know a disabled lady, Uber can’t collect her, only a black cab. So she’s stuck here.”