Greenwich’s permanent Low Traffic Neighborhoods begin – with initial grace period

Two Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are now in operation either said of Greenwich Park with some changes made since a previous trial.

The council made the decision earlier this year to make both the west and east Greenwich LTN’s permanent after an 18 months trial. It’s proved controversial with many stating traffic has been displaced to Charlton.

Data did back that up though the project on two LTNs has proceeded. The council blocked a call-in attempt from the opposition.

The LTNs are camera monitored as opposed to using physical planters as seen in a previous scheme from around five years ago.

Changes now made include:

• Providing Blue Badge Holders with up to a two vehicle permit allowance, and automatically renewing existing eligible N1 permits for the West & East Greenwich Neighbourhood Management Scheme for another 18 months for resident permits, and 12 months for business permits.
• To introduce a minor amendment of the TMO – to remove the timed restriction at the junction of Royal Hill and Greenwich South Street, while providing an eastbound one-way restriction between Greenwich South Street and Brand Street.
• To relocate a number of modal filters (camera restrictions) located in the West Greenwich area to the following junctions:
  • 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

Grace period

Those changes in the West Greenwich LTN mean there are no fines for the first four weeks with Greenwich Council stating “warning letters will be issued instead of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs). During this time there will be some operational testing / minor works.”

There is no grace period in the east Greenwich LTN owing to no changes in camera locations.

Greenwich council state the measure will encourage walking and cycling though it’s notable they are not using revenue from the scheme or other sources of funding such as CIL and Section 106 to improve dismal streets in various parts of Greenwich including those rotten links to the peninsula as well as Charlton.

That means investing money and this being Greenwich Council it’s a no to anything of note, ensuring little is happening to improve streets and public spaces despite vast numbers of new homes being built. In the past two weeks this site has covered a number of new developments, including 431 homes now all but complete in towers on the peninsula.

In 2022 they signed an agreement ensuring no improvements on key pedestrian links between new homes and amenities in Greenwich until 2037 at one key location.

That’s the roundabout connecting Millennium Way, John Harrison Way and Blackwall Lane beside two schools and the 431-home tower project.

Many other areas in Greenwich also remain very poor on foot or cycle including Tunnel Avenue.

A major junction in east Greenwich is also still a cluttered, ugly mess of a place.

Will they use any revenue to improve these spots further?