What are Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and why are they controversial?

Rishi Sunak has ordered a review into the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods scheme being rolled out by several councils that has been branded an "attack on motorists" by some Tory MPs.

The prime minister sought to reassure drivers he is "on their side" as he announced he'd ordered the Department for Transport to launch the review.

Sunak told The Sunday Telegraph he'd become "alarmed" by Labour's position, branding it "anti-motorist" as he vowed to look into schemes across the country designed to discourage people from using their cars.

This week the Labour-led Newcastle City Council decided to scrap an LTN area in Fenham following a review that suggested the restrictions had increased traffic on other roads.

Watch: Rishi Sunak insists he is on the side of motorists as he orders review into LTNs

The LTN did not encourage more people to walk or cycle, had “little or no impact” in reducing school traffic and pushed cars onto other residential roads, according to a report.

Data showed the average weekday vehicle counts on Queensway Road, a neighboring road in Fenham, increased by 154%.

Meanwhile, some more environmentally-minded Tory members have expressed concerns over the government shifting away from its green and net-zero policies, amid pressure from MPs on the right of the party.

Here, Yahoo News explains what Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are, how they work, and why they're so divisive.

What is a Low Traffic Neighbourhood?

LTNs are groups of residential streets, bordered by main roads, where "through" traffic, or "rat-running" is either discouraged or banned entirely.

As the pro-walking charity Living Streets explains: "There's lots of ways you can make a low traffic neighbourhood, but the main principle is that every resident can drive onto their street, get deliveries etc.

"But it's harder or impossible to drive straight through from one main road to the next."

Read more: Government says claims it's considering drastic move against LNs schemes are 'speculation'

This is achieved by using either temporary or permanent barriers, known as "modal filters", which can come in the form or bollards or planters. Cameras can also be used to catch and fine non-residents who use roads as rat-runs.

What's the idea behind LTNs?

The purpose of these schemes it to open up a network of streets that people can travel safely through on foot, bicycle or other alternative modes of transport.

Some of these schemes allow buses through – encouraging people to choose public transport – and supporters argue they make it easier for ambulance drivers to reach their destination, although that will depend on them not being blocked by bollards.

Other core principles of LTNs are to cut air and noise pollution and to reduce the number of accidents on the roads.

Why are LTNs controversial?

LTNs have had plenty of pushback, with Oxfordshire County Council spending £100,000 to replace plastic bollards in east Oxford with steel ones to stop people ripping them out of the ground.

Earlier this month, transport secretary Mark Harper called on local authorities to review the schemes, adding: "I believe in giving people more choice on how to travel, not banning cars from places. That's why I've stopped funding for any new LTNs."

In an interview with The Telegraph, Harper said many of these schemes were "implemented during the pandemic and there was, because of that, a lack of consultation".

"For local authorities who have got schemes that weren't popular, were very controversial and aren't very well supported, then it would probably be wise for them to look at them again," he said.

Harper also suggested that LTNs can be counterproductive as they invertedly "create people who don't like cycling and walking" – seemingly in a pushback against what are perceived to be draconian measures.

Conservative MP Nick Fletcher even went as far as to suggest traffic control plans were part of an "international socialist concept" that would take away personal liberties.

Read more: LTNs responsible for delays to life-threatening calls, report shows

However, Fletcher appeared to be giving weight to a conspiracy theory that has conflated LTNs with 15-minute cities – a concept of city planning where residents have all essential amenities within walking distance.

Many opponents have made the case that these schemes push more traffic into surrounding roads. However, this is hotly contested, with traffic data from 46 LTN schemes in 11 London boroughs reporting the mean reduction of traffic was 46.9%.

Critics have questioned the impartiality of the study, carried out by the University of Westminster's Active Travel Academy and commissioned by climate charity Possible.