A contentious LTN scheme in Greenwich has come into effect permanently this week. The West and East Greenwich Neighbourhood Management Scheme went live on Thursday (March 26) with minor modifications made by Greenwich Council following resident feedback.
The scheme aims to reduce traffic and improve air quality in two residential areas in Greenwich by preventing motorists from travelling through the neighbourhoods at peak commuting times via the implementation of an LTN in each area.
Camera enforced modal filters issue drivers with Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) if they are picked up between 7am to 10am and from 3pm to 7pm on weekdays. Greenwich Council has made minor modifications to the scheme following resident feedback, such as providing Blue Badge holders with up to two vehicle permits.
The council has also renewed eligible N1 permits that allow vehicles to drive through the LTNs at restricted times. Residential permits have been renewed for an additional 18 months, and business permits another 12.
Credit: Cameron Blackshaw.
The timed restriction at the junction of Royal Hill and Greenwich South Street has been removed, and an eastbound one-way restriction between Greenwich South Street and Brand Street has been implemented.
A number of modal filters—the cameras which pick up vehicles travelling through LTN areas and issue PCN changes when necessary—have been relocated in the West Greenwich area:
- Royal Hill at its junction with Royal Place, relocated to Royal Place at its junction with Royal Hill
- Circus Street at its junction with Royal Hill, relocated to Hyde Vale at its junction with Royal Hill
- Royal Hill junction at its junction with Prior Street, relocated to Point Hill at its junction with Royal Hill
- Winforton Street at its junction with Point Hill, relocated to Winforton Street at its junction with Blissett Street
Because of these modal filter changes, the council has announced a minimum four-week “grace period” in West Greenwich, during which warning letters will be issued instead of fines. PCNs will continue as normal in East Greenwich.
Greenwich Council has also committed to installing additional signs near the LTN areas to further aid understanding, and letters have been sent to residents and businesses in the West Greenwich area to outline the changes.
Cllr Calum O’Byrne Mulligan, the council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport, said: “We’re making the scheme permanent because it has delivered meaningful results, reducing rat running and overall traffic levels, improving air quality and making substantial improvements in road safety.
“The purpose of this project is not to raise money, but to make our residential streets safer, quieter and our air cleaner. That’s why, to help drivers understand these tweaks, we will initially issue letters of information rather than PCNs in the West area.”
It was revealed at last week’s full council meeting that over 100,000 PCNs had been issued as part of the scheme so far. Of these, 32,109 PCNs were issued to vehicles registered in Greenwich, while 75,945 PCNs were issued to vehicles registered outside of the borough.
The scheme has seen its fair share of controversy since Greenwich Council launched the trial in 2024, with residents throughout the borough both for and against the implementation of LTNs.
Those in favour were generally those living within the LTN areas who felt roads had become safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Those opposed tended to be residents who lived outside the scheme areas, particularly in Charlton, who believed the traffic restrictions had just pushed the traffic onto their roads instead.
Greenwich Council moved to make the scheme permanent after it found it had improved road safety, increased walking and cycling, decreased traffic throughout the entire area by 6 per cent and slightly improved air quality in the LTN zones.
The council has committed to take forward mitigation measures for areas that have “not experienced those same benefits”.
Cllr O’Byrne Mulligan added: “With the scheme becoming permanent we are also now able to progress mitigations for boundary areas who haven’t seen all of the same benefits that we’ve experienced within the area of the scheme.
“Detailed feasibility studies are under way for measures to improve crossings and address through traffic in Charlton, as well as in parts of East and West Greenwich. When, in the near future, that is complete we plan to formally consult on plans with local residents.”
