Ealing's LTN Fine Revenue Rises To £2.8 Million
Nearly 65,000 PCNs issued with over a third going to borough residents
Council are in the middle of a consultation exercise to decide future of LTNs
August 2, 2021
Ealing Council has raked in £2.8 million in fines from drivers entering and leaving Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), it can be revealed.
The restrictions were brought in by the council to stop people using residential roads as a ‘cut through’ to avoid traffic queues in December 2020.
Of the 64,807 fines issued to drivers who breached new restrictions, one third were issued to Ealing residents.
A total of £2,887,235 has been received by Ealing Council between last December, when LTNs were introduced, and 4 July.
The most expensive month for drivers falling foul of LTN restrictions was April 2021, with 15,967 people receiving fines.
The figures have been released after a Freedom of Information Act request was made to Ealing Council by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The document states, “All revenue raised from parking fines is invested into improving the road network and public transport, and funding concessionary travel schemes, in accordance with legislation (Section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984).
“This includes improvements to cycle infrastructure, promoting healthier travel and investment in camera technology to enforce noncompliant restrictions in the borough.”
Ealing Council claims it cannot reveal how many of the fined drivers were in black cabs or private hire vehicles.
LTNs were introduced as part of the government’s £250 million ‘emergency active travel fund’ in May last year.
It was hoped that introducing LTNs would “secure a change in behaviour” that took place during the first lockdown, with many more members of public choosing to cycle or walk.
The borough saw thousands marching to its town hall in protest against the zones in April.
It is now processing feedback from residents and businesses in areas affected by LTNs and is expected to publish the results in September.
At a recent debate on the issue, some councillors argued that LTN fines should be stopped until residents’ voices were heard.
But the council’s deputy leader Deirdre Costigan branded the idea a “rat runner’s charter” and said the council’s leadership is “listening to residents” through the consultation.
Josh Mellor - Local Democracy Reporter
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