Stockwell Gardens Low Traffic Neighbourhood

We are planning a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) in Stockwell Gardens to make it safer and easier to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle by stopping cars, vans and other vehicles from using quiet streets as shortcuts.

Background information

We know that as we move into the future, the risks associated with our changing climate, such as flooding or extreme heat events, will increase. We aim to empower the local community to use more active travel methods with the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

LTN boundaries are usually determined by major roads, rail lines, and green spaces, with some exceptions for minor roads based on their characteristics.

In the Transport Strategy Implementation Plan Appendix B Low Traffic Neighbourhood Plan several factors are considered when prioritising Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.  In prioritising the Stockwell Gardens LTN, factors included:

  • Traffic and road danger
  • Mode shift potential
  • Population
  • Health and deprivation
  • Air Quality and climate emergency
  • Trip attractors

For the next round of LTNs, including Stockwell Gardens, we wanted to engage more with local people to develop a trial proposal. We also broadened the scope of the project to go beyond traffic filters.  

What is an LTN?

Low traffic neighbourhoods make it safer and easier to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle by stopping cars, vans and other vehicles from using quiet streets as shortcuts. Over time, LTNs can encourage people to switch from driving to more sustainable ways of travelling, like walking, public transport and cycling. This is one of the ways we can tackle the climate emergency in Lambeth. 

The plan for Stockwell Gardens

Lambeth Council places a strong emphasis on fostering collaboration, innovation, and creativity to engage with the local community and various organisations in the process of design. 

The Community Streets Design team focus on 5 fundamental principles to interact with the diverse set of stakeholders within the borough:

  • Identify: Scoping out a project area, conducting initial research, identifying issues and opportunities with local people
  • Design: Collaborative process working with local people to develop imaginative ideas that can be tested to improve the public realm
  • Inform: Sharing clear information at regular intervals. Ensuring we are transparent on timelines and decision processes.
  • Learn: Evaluating projects and ideas including through ‘formal’ consultation
  • Empower: Upskilling individuals and community groups to take ownership of the development, use and maintenance of different projects.

The Stockwell Gardens LTN has not yet been designed. We have been working with the local community to learn more about the local area as the engagement (alongside traffic monitoring data) will inform the LTN proposal.

As per the ‘identify’ phase we have completed the following engagements:

  • Stockwell Gardens LTN Walk and Talks – Community Street Design Officers delivered 4 walks across Friday 17 & Saturday 18 November 2023. Attendees participated in a one hour walk across a designated route, open to 15 people per walk to inform Lambeth officers about the area and the praises/concerns they may have
  • Violence Against Women and Girls Walk – On Wednesday 31 January 2024, a two hour walk within Stockwell and Slade Gardens was delivered in collaboration with Lambeth’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) team. This walk was based on hotspots highlighted on the VAWG Live Map on Commonplace to learn more about why a specific area is deemed unsafe and what remedial works can be done to rectify this. The walk was held at 6:30PM-8:30PM to visualise the area during darker hours
  • School Engagements - A meeting was held with the Headteacher of St Andrews Church of England Primary School on Wednesday 06 March 2024 to learn more about the school’s transport needs
  • Business Drop Ins - In November 2023, our market research team dropped into businesses to inform them of the incoming LTN, whilst encouraging them to contribute to an online survey for a meeting to discuss any further queries. In February – March 2024, more specific visits occurred with businesses near well-known through routes. Feedback was gathered on loading bay usage, delivery routes and schedules, parking, main method of transport for customers etc. 
  • Care Home Outreach - On Friday 15 March 2024, we dropped-in to learn more about the transport needs for Lingham Court. After speaking with the manager, we learnt more about the transport needs for the staff, the residents and guests
  • Lambeth’s Transport Strategy Accessibility Working Group – On Friday April 05, 2024, The Community Streets Design Team worked with members of Lambeth’s Accessibility Working Group and MP Smarter Travel to identify the challenges that may be posed to those with additional needs when travelling through specific areas within the LTN. This AWG group comprises individuals who possess a wealth of expertise by virtue of their personal experiences living with various disabilities. A site visit occurred across Lingham Street & Grantham Road.
  • Commonplace Online Live Map - As per the identify phase of engagements, we launched an online live map on Friday 24 November 2023, for residents, visitors and stakeholders to learn more about specific streets within the LTN area
  • Tranquil City, Loop Labs and Telraam - Tranquil City, an independent environmental data collective, extended an invitation to residents in the Stockwell Gardens LTN area to partake in transparent, impartial and collaborative traffic monitoring processes. The Tranquil City, Loop Labs and Telraam project aimed to explore how citizen science methods can effectively connect those who are worried about the impacts of LTNs with Local Authorities. Citizen science is the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research. Participants placed a Telraam device on their windows which automatically counted traffic Overall findings were shared with Lambeth officers following the completion of the project.

As per the engagement phase, we will now be collating quantitative and qualitative data to inform the LTN trial design. There will be further engagement opportunities during the implementation of the LTN. Feedback collected during engagements will be published in the Stockwell Gardens LTN Engagement Report. 

Monitoring the impact

The LTN will initially be introduced as a trial, and we will monitor the impact it has

As with our existing LTNs, we intend to make any changes to vehicle through-access as a trial and monitor how those changes work within the LTN area and on surrounding streets. This allows us to make changes if needed, and for you to give detailed feedback on the scheme when it is live.

Alongside changes to through-access for vehicles we want your ideas on what other measures could be included in Stockwell Gardens to make it easier to walk, cycle and wheel, to have nicer spaces to stop and rest, and to help deal with the climate emergency. 

Some of these changes may also be temporary but some could also be made permanent.