London's Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) have sparked fierce debate as new data reveals nearly two million penalty notices worth over £200 million have been issued to drivers in just two and a half years.
GB News commentators have slammed the schemes as "cash cows" designed to generate revenue rather than deliver environmental benefits.
Mike Parry and Andrew Pierce have led criticism, claiming LTNs actually increase pollution by forcing traffic onto main roads.
The controversy pits motorists against city officials who defend the schemes as necessary environmental measures.
Mike Parry said his friend fell foul of London traffic rules twice in consecutive days
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Mike Parry told GB News: "Low traffic neighbourhoods, motorists get caught out by their number plate. It's an outrage."
"The reason these zones are put up is to collect fines from motorists by confusing them," he claimed.
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Low traffic neighbourhoods are becoming more common around the UK PA Andrew Pierce added: "They say these are for environmental reasons but they're a cash cow."
Parry further argued that LTNs create "mass pollution" by redirecting traffic.
"If motorists can't drive in these zones, they head for the high road. Then the high road is just one massive congestion of cars going nowhere," he said.
Data obtained through freedom of information requests by the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) revealed the extent of LTN fines since early 2022.
The GB News panel were in uproar
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London councils have issued nearly two million penalty charge notices worth more than £200 million to drivers entering these zones.
The total revenue raised from successful fines, after challenges and unpaid charges, amounted to £85.7 million.
This represents a dramatic increase in penalties, with the number and value of fines doubling since 2019.
Between 2019 and 2022, councils issued 1.1 million fines worth up to £95 million.
Drivers caught entering LTNs typically face penalties of £130, although this is often reduced to £65 if paid within a certain time period.
Parry shared a personal anecdote about the impact of traffic restrictions, saying: "A friend of mine got done for 22mph and 24mph on the Embankment in London on two successive days. It's an absolute outrage."
He described the situation as "outrageous" and accused authorities of trying to "fleece the motorist once again."
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London defended the schemes, stating: "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."
The Mayor's office cited research contradicting critics' claims about traffic displacement.
"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," the spokesperson said.
