Drivers fined £200m from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods as 'cash-hungry councils squeeze taxpayers dry'
WATCH: ECO-MEDDLING WAR on drivers: Penalties 'SURGE' as roads descend into CHAOS
GB NEWS
London councils have issued nearly two million penalty charge notices worth more than £200million to drivers entering low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in just two and a half years, according to new data.
The figures, obtained through freedom of information requests by the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA), show the extent of fines handed out since the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year.
Drivers caught entering LTNs typically face penalties of £130, although this is often reduced to £65 if paid within a certain time period.
The total revenue raised from successful fines, after challenges and unpaid charges, amounted to £85.7million according to the data.
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Experts have called for law changes to be introduced to prevent drivers from being fined so often
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The number and value of fines has seen a dramatic increase, doubling since 2019. Between 2019 to 2022, London councils issued 1.1 million fines worth up to £95million.
The escalation continued, with revenue from fines jumping by a third from £68.1million in 2021/22 to £91.8million in 2022/23. The TPA estimates that the total value of fines reaches almost £230million.
LTNs have expanded across the capital since the pandemic, using bollards, planters, and number plate recognition cameras to restrict traffic.
City Hall claims research shows that LTNs reduce road casualties, increase walking and cycling, reduce crime, and help young people become more active.
Hackney Council emerged as the borough issuing the most penalties, handing out just under 400,000 fines worth £14.4million over the two-and-a-half-year period.
Half of Hackney's total area is covered by LTNs - the highest proportion of any London borough, the Mail reported.
Hackney Council states the zones "help to reduce traffic and emissions by encouraging people to switch to walking, cycling or public transport".
Haringey followed with 311,975 LTN fines since the start of 2022/23, while Lambeth issued 247,948 penalties.
Elliot Keck, head of campaigns at the TPA, said: "Motorists will be furious at the way that low traffic neighbourhood schemes have accelerated over the past few years as cash-hungry councils seek ever more ways to squeeze taxpayers dry."
He pointed to the significant increase in fines levied on "frequently unsuspecting drivers". Motorists have also criticised the rollout of these LTNs, with protests calling on the Government to remove the measures from roads taking place in 2024.
The TPA is now calling for major reforms to the system, suggesting fines should only be issued after multiple warnings.
Keck added: "If councils want LTNs to be viewed as productive contributions to local neighbourhoods rather than get rich quick schemes then they should drastically reform the system."
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Low Traffic Neighbourhoods were popularised during the pandemic when there were fewer cars on the road
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A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: "Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are installed by boroughs to help improve air quality in London, support more people to walk and cycle, and make London's roads safer.
"Overall, research shows that well-planned LTNs do not simply shift traffic from one place to another but lead to an overall reduction in motor vehicles on roads."
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