Lambeth Council has issued fines of more than £1 million to drivers not following low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) rules in the borough.  

As part of emergency transport measures in the wake of Covid-19, the council introduced five LTNs across the borough between June and September, including Railton, Oval Triangle, Ferndale, Streatham Hill, and Tulse Hill.   

LTNs involve placing camera-enforced or physical barriers in streets to prevent through-traffic and promote active travel. 

If people drive through camera-enforced filters they will be slapped with a £130 fine.   

Figures released following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from the local democracy service showed that the council issued 11,861 Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) worth £1,090,066 between June and December 15.  

Out of those, 6,806 fines, worth £448,841, have been paid. 

The figure is low compared to the fines issued in the Lewisham and Lee Green LTN, which launched in June.  

During the first three months after it was set up – it had 13 modal filters at the time, including four camera-enforced barriers – Lewisham council issued nearly 50,000 fines worth £3 million. 

Comparitively, Lambeth’s £1 million figure covered six months and more than 20 camera-enforced barriers.

Lewisham’s only LTN has since been rolled back after surges in traffic in neighbouring areas.  

The schemes in general have had mixed responses. 

One of the main aims of the LTNs is to promote active travel such as cycling, walking, and public transport, which many residents support.      

But others have also raised concerns about traffic displacement, lack of consultation, increased journey times, and the division of communities. 

A Lambeth Council spokesperson said: “Our emergency low traffic neighbourhoods are making it easier to walk, cycle and keep up social distancing.  

“They also aim to cut air pollution by encouraging local people to shop locally and discourage rat running through our residential streets.  

“These measures were brought in to help deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and we have engaged with residents in an open and accessible way. 

“Most people in Lambeth don’t own a car, but all motorists on our borough’s streets are required to drive legally and obey the law at all times.  

“Our on-street signage, planters and ANPR cameras are in place to ensure that is the case.”