Islington Council has received considerable profits in recent months from its People Friendly Streets Scheme.
A Freedom of Information request put to the council asked how much money has been raised from issuing fines for those who breach low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) rules, including new road closures. The council received £491,180 between 17 August and 23 December 2020 from LTN-related Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
Other councils across London have also brought in considerable sums from these fines. Lambeth Council has issued £1 million worth of fines in the first six months of their own LTN schemes and Lewisham Councils PCNs amount to £3 million.
Those who enter closed roads as part of the LTN policies face fixed fines at £130 for every new breach made. The amount is reduced to £65 if paid within 14 days.
The Green councillor for Highbury East, Caroline Russell, says: “Personally I think you can do very well with planters and just blocking things off, but I think the council were very concerned about emergency services access, and so understandably they’ve gone for a camera system.”
She said: “Now, anyone who’s driving should be aware of what the road signs mean, and if people are not aware of what those road signs mean, they urgently need to do a refresher course on the highway code. The signs are there, it’s very clear what the intention of the low traffic neighbourhood is; it’s meant to make it a bit less convenient to drive, a bit more convenient to walk or cycle… it’s about shifting the balance in how we use our street space.”
Islington resident Neil Christie said of the amount the council had received: “The amount of money paid out suggests that there may be problems with signage clarity, or with drivers just not paying attention.”
Another resident, Kas Graham, said: “That’s a lot of people who either can’t read road signs, or who have such an overblown sense of their motor privilege that they think the rules don’t apply to them.”
However, Ian Mackee has a different view on the matter saying: “It has always been about the money. Revenue is king for the council and Islington residents are the pawns.”
These fines were introduced with the advent of the People Friendly Streets scheme. The scheme was introduced to help reduce the environmental impact of motor traffic and increase the accessibility for both cyclists and pedestrians in the borough.
The People Friendly Streets scheme consists of three key initiatives. The most visible – and controversial – is the introduction of LTNs, controlled by new bollards and smart cameras – which automatically issue drivers with fixed fines if they breach traffic rules. Alongside this is the School Streets programme, which similarly focuses on reducing traffic around schools at peak hours.The third part of the scheme has involved the introduction of temporary cycle lanes across the borough, integrating city-wide cycle schemes.
However, the scheme has attracted controversy as it was introduced without prior formal consultation. Groups such as Ludicrous Road Closures have reached a wide audience on social media with the aim of campaigning against LTN’s in the borough. A review will be carried out after an 18-month trial period, and residents are encouraged to share their views on the council’s community forum.
When asked how many complaints Islington Council had received which related directly to the People Friendly Streets scheme it was confirmed that none were reported. The council explained that they do not process such complaints through their complaints procedure because the scheme remains in its trial stages.
Even with no formal complaints procedure, residents have been taking issue with the PCN system by establishing petitions which ask the council to provide certain residents and businesses with exemptions. Over 3,800 residents have signed a petition on Highbury road closures.
As of March 2021, Islington now has six established LTNs, including those in Highbury, Amwell, Canonbury East, Canonbury West, Clerkenwell Green and St Peter’s ward.
.){kind=link}