More motorists are being fined for driving in Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), with the number of penalties rising 30 per cent in 2022.
LTNs are council-run areas where cars, vans and lorries are discouraged from driving.
The aim is to make neighbourhoods less polluted and encourage people to use healthier transport such as walking and cycling.
This is done using barriers, planters and road signs to block off roads, as well as cameras, depending on the LTN.
Growing trend: There are more than 100 LTNs in operation across the country
But more motorists are being fined for driving in an LTN, according to research from car insurer Churchill Motor Insurance.
Drivers in the UK received 674,732 LTN fines in 2022, up 30 per cent from 519,780 in 2021.
This year has already seen motorists pay 264,920 LTN fines between January and May.
The total value of LTN fines issued was £39.2million in 2021, £40.8million in 2022, and £10.9 million in the first five months of 2023.
The average fine for driving in a LTN was £75.40 in 2021, £60.40 in 2022 and £41.14 in 2023.
The reason for the increase is a huge rise in councils setting up LTNs, according to Churchill
It 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.
| Council | Number of 2022 LTNs | Value of fines |
|---|---|---|
| Islington | 138,722 | £5.2million |
| Hounslow | 115,477 | £11million |
| Lambeth | 99,201 | £10million |
| Waltham Forest | 61,339 | £2.6million |
| Haringey | 60,186 | £2.5million |
| Ealing | 59,002 | £3.4million |
| Lewisham | 41,313 | £2.4million |
| Enfield | 19,571 | £913,073 |
| Oxfordshire CC | 16,530 | £434,610 |
| Greenwich | 10,406 | £596,502 |
| Source: Churchill Motor Insurance | ||
In July, the Government 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 congestion.
Churchill Motor Insurance head Nicholas Mantel 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.’
Can I appeal an LTN fine?
If you feel you have been fined unfairly for entering a LTN, you can appeal.
The first step is to appeal to the council that handed you the fine.
If that does not work, drivers must turn to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal.
This is a free service for motorists which handles complaints about all local authorities in Wales and England, excluding London.
There are similar dispute services – the Parking and Bus Lane Tribunal for Scotland, and London Tribunals – for drivers in Scotland and the capital.
