Skip to main content

Equity in new active travel infrastructure: A spatial analysis of London’s new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods

Status of Publication: Published/Completed
Date produced: 2018
Authoring organisation/Author affiliation: University of Westminster;Centre for Diet and Activity Research, University of Cambridge;London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Individual author(s): Aldred R
Type of Resource: Research
Impairment area(s): Pan-impairment
Transport mode(s): Cycling, Private Car, Walking & Wheeling
Journey stage: Unspecified
Region: England - London

Document summary

In this article we examine equity in new active travel infrastructure in London, UK. We focus on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) introduced during Covid-19. These area-based schemes mainly involve ‘modal filters’ that restrict through motor traffic from residential streets within a neighbourhood. Such approaches to traffic management are traditional in the Netherlands, but are relatively novel in London and other global cities such as Barcelona. LTNs are often controversial, with one criticism being that they are implemented in affluent areas and hence benefit richer residents.

London represents an excellent opportunity to investigate whether these rapidly introduced schemes have so far been equitably distributed. We focused on LTNs introduced between March and September 2020 and still present at the end of October 2020. Having generated datasets representing these new LTN locations and their boundary roads, we matched these to Output Areas (OAs, administrative areas containing around 300 residents). We then examined the extent to which LTN implementation was associated with age, ethnicity, disability, employment and car ownership (using Census 2011 data) and small-area deprivation (using the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019).

ncat is not responsible for any content, information or views shared on third party websites. All opinions, statements, or representations made by individuals or external organizations are their own and do not reflect the views or policies of ncat. When using the Resource Collection, if you find any broken links or require help and support, please click to launch an email to resourcecollection@ncat.uk