It’s roads with 30 mph limits – not motorways or 60 mph roads – that have been found to be most dangerous in the past.

Low-traffic neighbourhoods use active-travel filters to prevent through-traffic (short-cutting), whilst still allowing residents, visitors and emergency services to access everywhere within the neighbourhood by car.

The fundamental idea behind LTNs is that fewer short journeys are made by car, meaning less traffic and pollution overall.

It isn’t always possible for everyone to walk and cycle, that’s why it’s crucial that vehicle access to all properties is maintained and only through-traffic is restricted.

It’s far more convenient to shop locally, so we want local Headington businesses to thrive. If you run a local business we’d like to hear from you.

How will I benefit and what changes will I see?

Firstly, it’s important to keep in mind that the status quo is already costing us a fortune [https://www.headingtonliveablestreets.org.uk/why-needed/]. A recent County Council consultation made a strong case for the benefits of LTNs as high-value low-cost improvements which produce very substantial benefits for local communities

Health benefits of walking and cycling

The hidden costs of increased car use

Oxfordshire County Council is trialling low-traffic neighbourhood schemes around Oxford, starting in Cowley in March 2021.

The most prominent example of low-traffic neighbourhoods in England is in the London borough of Waltham Forest. A number of similar initiatives inspired by this scheme and its proven success in addressing problems such as road safety, physical inactivity and air pollution are now being implemented around the country. Closer

Low-traffic neighbourhoods use active travel filters (planters, bollards etc.), also known as ‘modal filters’, to curb speeding and prevent short-cutting by through-traffic, whilst – crucially – still allowing motor vehicle access to every part of the road network, as is the case now.

Residents and their visitors can access everywhere within the LTN by car. You can park outside your home as you do now. Creating access-only neighbourhoods provides quieter, safer, less polluted streets for residents and those who travel through by foot, bike or mobility scooter.

Will nearby LTNs bring an increase in congestion on my road?

With Headington home to several major hospitals and an ambulance station, many people legitimately ask if LTNs will cause delays in response times for the emergency services.