Kings Heath: controversy over Low Traffic Neighbourhood data

A campaigner has said it is impossible to tell whether road changes in Kings Heath are working because there is missing data.

But a councillor for the area has said air quality readings – including outside schools – show a “marked improvement” since the introduction of the low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN).

Birmingham City Council began putting in place the LTNs around the city in 2020 – which involve closing some roads in certain directions to car traffic.

The Places for People project is intended to boost air quality and make streets safer for walking and cycling – but it has been controversial, with some arguing it is pushing pollution and congestion elsewhere.

The city council has now responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to state that while air quality and traffic measurements have been taken since the Kings Heath LTN was installed, there is no baseline data available.

This means any measurements taken prior to the LTN – which could be compared with data post-intervention to show the effect the changes are having.

The city council has said it was not possible to gain “meaningful” baseline data prior to the LTN being put in place due to the impact of the Covid lockdown on traffic levels.

What does the data show?

Average monthly nitrogen dioxide monitoring data is available for 21 sites in the area between December 2020 and October last year.

The readings show that only one location – the High Street – shows a “slightly elevated” NO2 level (36 – 40 μg/m3) when compared to the air quality index key – a scale for air quality used nationally.

The rest are generally “very low” – under 30 μg/m3 with figures in recent months generally lower than in the earlier months and below the average for the whole period.

The seven school sites measured show air quality improvements of between 26 and 39 per cent between December 2020 and October last year.

Measurements for five new sites including ones in or near Vicarage Road – which has been described as an “unofficial bypass” – are only available for between August and October last year and do not show a consistent pattern for those three months.

Traffic data including speed and number of vehicles – released in response to the FOI – show only one set of measurements at ten sites taken between October 9 and 15 last year.

Why did the LTN campaigner say it is not possible to see if the Places for People project is succeeding?

A campaigner – who does not wish to be named – has said it is not possible to tell whether the project is having an effect or is needed.

They gave the example of the impact on traffic levels in adjoining roads which have not seen flower boxes put in place to stop car traffic.

The campaigner said: “Without baseline data it is impossible to tell whether this is having a positive or negative impact on the community in terms of traffic levels and air quality.

“All that has happened is existing traffic has been pushed onto adjoining, open roads.”

They added measurements made during lockdown would still have given an indication of traffic movements when compared to the data taken post-installation “had the council done that during the lockdown period”.

They said the scheme is “so divisive” and referenced responses to a council consultation on the schemes which showed 45 per cent of 791 respondents gave a negative response to the changes in Kings Heath compared to 36 per cent who felt positive.

They referenced signs put up in Vicarage Road stating “we deserve clean air too”.

They said: “The strength of feeling against this scheme far outweighs the support for it. All they are doing is doubling and trebling mileage if we have to go somewhere.”

What has the local councillor said about the LTN findings in Kings Heath?

Cllr Mike Leddy (Lab, Brandwood and Kings Heath) said he is neutral on the subject of LTNs.

But he said: “There has been a marked improvement in air quality. In all but five of the 21 monitoring stations, there has been a marked improvement.

He added the scheme had created an “unofficial bypass” at Vicarage Road and he said: “I do feel sorry for those residents because if you are going to install an LTN you want to improve air quality for the greater number.”

What has Birmingham City Council said about the LTN project in Kings Heath?

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said the LTNs were part of efforts to meet the city’s target of net zero carbon by 2030.

They said: “The first phase of the Places for People in Kings Heath and Moseley was delivered as part of our emergency response to Covid, to encourage people to continue walking and cycling as the first lockdown measures began to be lifted.

“With the significant reduction in travel during lockdown, it was not possible to obtain meaningful baseline data for traffic levels.

“We have carried out monitoring, including traffic counts and air quality measurements during the project, data from which is available on our website.

“Where possible, we also look at other sources, such as bus journey times, to help monitor changes in traffic speed and flow.

“Where congestion is experienced on roads around the Places for People project area, we have implemented mitigating measures where possible, and will continue to do so.

“In order to meet Birmingham’s targets for net zero carbon and to reduce air pollution, it is essential that trips taken by private vehicle are drastically reduced, and replaced with more sustainable choices such as walking, cycling and public transport.

“Through the Birmingham Transport Plan, we are committed to further improving the quality of and access to those more sustainable modes, enabling them to become easy, every day choices for the majority of citizens.”

The council added: “Overall the air quality in the area is generally good and does not appear to be breaching the air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide [40 µg/m3].”

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