Future of two Enfield LTNs uncertain as Tories announce 'full review'

Enfield Conservatives promised to remove the low-traffic schemes in their manifesto but are reliant on agreement with the Greens to vote changes through, reports James Cracknell

The Fox Lane LTN with (inset left) council leader Alessandro Georgiou and (inset right) Green group leader Sarah Jons

The leader of Enfield Council says his administration is “getting on” with delivering a Conservative election promise to remove two low-traffic neighbourhoods in the borough – despite facing opposition from the Greens.

Alessandro Georgiou, who became leader following a vote among councillors at the civic two weeks ago, has confirmed today (Tuesday 9^th) there will be a “full review” into the Fox Lane and Bowes Park schemes first introduced on a trial basis in 2020 and made permanent in 2022 by the previous Labour administration at Enfield Civic Centre.

The LTNs have been controversial because, while they have reduced traffic and air pollution inside their boundaries, a number of roads outside the two schemes have been adversely affected. There have also been complaints from residents inside the LTNs over longer journey times, with the council agreeing last year to trial a major change to the Bowes scheme so local drivers wouldn’t be forced to use the North Circular.

After opposing them for many years, the Enfield Conservatives’ election manifesto pledged to “end the war on the driver” by “abolishing” the two LTNs and also opposing new 20mph speed limits.

Asked this week to explain how this pledge would be fulfilled without the Tories holding a majority on the council, Cllr Georgiou said: “We were elected on a clear promise to take action on low-traffic neighbourhoods and we’re getting on with it.

“Residents and businesses have been clear; for too many, these schemes aren’t working. That’s exactly why we’re acting. We will launch a full review into these unpopular schemes.

“But residents should be in no doubt, we’re getting on with the job they elected us to do.”

The Tories, with 31 out of 63 councillors at the civic centre, needed the Greens to abstain to be able to take minority control of the council.

In any future vote on LTNs, however, it seems likely the Greens would instead team up with Labour to defeat the Conservatives – unless a compromise deal can be agreed beforehand.

Asked for her view on the LTNs, Sarah Jons, the leader of the Green group on the council, said: “Many residents value LTNs for the benefits they bring and have defended them in their neighbourhoods.

“The Green Party was elected on a clear pledge to support safer, cleaner streets and better air quality, and we are delivering on it. Decisions about retaining, changing, or removing LTNs should be based on evidence and local views.

“We will not support their removal at taxpayers’ expense without clear justification. Where they are not working, they should be improved; where they are delivering benefits, they should be retained.”

Another obstacle for the Tories is the potential for legal action. Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal ruled it would be unlawful for Tower Hamlets Council – led by the Aspire Party – to remove three LTNs installed by the borough’s former Labour administration. This came after a challenge from a pro-LTN campaign group.

Enfield Conservatives had also pledged in their manifesto to “de-activate the enforcement cameras on our first day in office”. This has not happened, however.

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