‘The myths propagated by supporters of low traffic neighbourhoods’

• ONE of the myths propagated by supporters of low traffic neighbourhoods, LTNs, is that they reduce pollution within their gated zones.

They don’t. They merely displace its main source.

The extra pollution now generated on our gridlocked main roads isn’t static; it is blown or drifts over a wide area, including neighbouring closed streets.

For example, the Highbury West Low Traffic Neighbourhood is surrounded by several of the borough’s busiest main roads, all of which are now gridlocked for much of the day.

The pollution generated on these roads does not simply hover above them before drifting upwards into the atmosphere. In fact, it spreads far and wide.

Indeed, it could be argued that forcing most traffic onto these gridlocked main roads is actually increasing overall pollution levels.

DAVID BARNES
Highbury Quadrant, N5