Low Traffic Neighbourhood fines increased 30 per cent in 2022

4 min read
  • Motorists hit with 674,732 fines for driving in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods last year, increasing from 519,780 in 2021        
  • Councils issued fines averaging  £3.1 million for Low Traffic Neighbourhood violations in 2022
  • At least 21 councils in the UK now use Low Traffic Neighbourhoods to reduce road traffic
  • 103 permanent Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are operating in 2023 – up from 87 in 2020

 

Penalty Charge Notices issued to motorists for driving in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) increased by 30 per cent year-on-year in 2022, according to new research from Churchill Motor Insurance.1 Drivers in the UK received 674,732 LTN fines last year – a significant increase from the 519,780 fines received in 2021. Motorists also received 264,920 LTN fines between January and May 2023.

LTNs are designed to make urban streets easier to walk and cycle on by stopping cars, vans, and other vehicles from using quiet roads as shortcuts2. The schemes are typically introduced to create more space for walking and cycling. Supporters of LTNs argue the schemes reduce road danger and improve air quality by encouraging people to walk or cycle rather than drive.

Since the start of 2021, councils implementing LTNs have issued fines worth more than £91 million for driving in the neighbourhoods. The total value of LTN fines issued was £39.2 million in 2021, £40.8 million in 2022, and £10.9 million in the first five months of 2023. In 2022, each council that implemented LTNs issued fines worth an average of £3.1 million.

Churchill’s research found that at least 21 councils operated LTNs in 2022 and 2023 –12 councils more than in 2021. As a result, there are 103 permanent LTNs in operation in 2023 compared with 87 in 2021. Most LTNs are found in London, with the Borough of Islington having 29 LTNs – more than any other council that provided data. Outside London, LTNs have been introduced in Derby, Newcastle, Oxfordshire, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Rochdale, Sheffield, Wigan, Hertfordshire, Nottingham, and Trafford.

The Government recently announced plans to launch a new review into the rollout of LTNs. Opponents of LTNs argue the schemes unfairly penalise motorists and lead to more traffic hotspots.

Nicholas Mantel, Head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: “Low traffic neighbourhoods are a controversial issue, and our research shows the number of motorists impacted is increasing. More Councils are rolling out the schemes in their areas and the number of individual LTNs is also rising.  When driving in major towns and cities, motorists should try to keep their satnavs up to date and look out for any new road signs to avoid being caught out for driving new LTNs.”

 

Table One: Most penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued for driving in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (2022)

Local Authority

Number of LTNs 2022

Number of LTN PCNs 2022

Value of LTNs 2022

London Borough of Islington

                                           28

                                 138,722

£5,522,765

London Borough of Hounslow

                                             1

                                 115,477

£11,059,469

London Borough of Lambeth

                                             5

                                   99,201

£10,500,104

London Borough of Waltham Forest

                                           14

                                   61,339

£2,670,401

London Borough of Haringey

                                             3

                                   60,186

£2,500,168

London Borough of Ealing

                                             2

                                   59,002

£3,492,382

London Borough of Lewisham

                                             1

                                   41,313

£2,444,247

London Borough of Enfield

                                             2

                                   19,571

£913,073

Oxfordshire County Council

                                             3

                                   16,530

£434,610

London Borough of Greenwich

                                             1

                                   10,406

£596,502

Source: Churchill Motor insurance

ENDS

Notes to Editor

  1. Freedom of Information requests sent to all UK local authorities – 210 provided data with 28 operating at least one LTN between January 2021 and May 2023
  2. https://madeby.tfl.gov.uk/2020/12/15/low-traffic-neighbourhoods/

 

For further information please contact:

Hayley Saunders

Churchill PR Manager

Email: hayley.saunders@directlinegroup.co.uk