The Corporate Director for Environment and Sustainable Transport, Aled Richards, approved the experimental implementation of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) in the West Ham Park area. This decision, made in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainable Transport, follows extensive public engagement and aims to improve air quality, public health, and road safety by reducing through traffic.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods Area 8 - West Ham Park Implementation

The Corporate Director for Environment and Sustainable Transport, Aled Richards, approved the experimental implementation of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) in the West Ham Park area. This decision was made following a review of the report and its appendices, which included an engagement summary and an equalities impact assessment. The scheme aims to reduce through motor traffic on residential streets by introducing modal filters, which are temporary closures using planters. These filters will allow access for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, emergency vehicles, and waste collection vehicles, with camera enforcement to prevent unauthorised vehicle movements.

The decision also includes proceeding with any necessary modifications to the scheme prior to implementation, subject to a subsequent non-key decision report. In the event of objections from statutory stakeholders such as the Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service, or London Fire Brigade, an objection recommendation report will be submitted for consideration.

A key aspect of the approval is the inclusion of a trial for a disability exemption, should it be feasible to implement and maintain. This aims to ensure that residents with mobility needs are not adversely affected by the scheme. Additionally, the existing Healthy School Street associated with Park Primary School will be extended to include adjacent properties on Ham Park Road, Fairland Road, and Vicarage Road. The scheme also proposes a review of speed mitigating measures on boundary roads such as Upton Lane, Portway, and Vicarage Lane, subject to feasibility studies and cost estimates.

Certain roads, including Wyatt Road, Chaucer Road, and Gower Road, have been excluded from the overarching Area 8 due to notably elevated levels of access traffic. More localised interventions will be developed for these areas separately. The implementation will be carried out under an Experimental Traffic Management Order (ETMO), allowing for the gathering of further intelligence and potential modifications within the 18-month lifespan of the order before a decision is made on making the changes permanent. The estimated cost of implementation is £200,000, funded by Transport for London's Local Implementation Plan.

The decision aligns with Newham Council's Corporate Plan 2022-2026, aiming to address the climate emergency, improve public health, and create safer, cleaner neighbourhoods. Extensive public engagement, including surveys, workshops, and pop-up events, was conducted over a 12-month period to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. The Equalities Impact Assessment highlights potential positive impacts such as reduced road danger and increased physical activity, alongside potential negative impacts like increased journey times for some road users. Mitigation measures, including the proposed blue badge exemption trial, are being developed to address these concerns.