Low Traffic Neighbourhoods: Need to be Smart but Should Not Be 'Shouted Down'

There has been lots of debate about Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) where cars are discouraged and walking/cycling boosted. Some of the objectors have claimed (sometimes with little evidence) that their creation simply moves congestion to other streets, has negative effects on local commerce and/or causes delays in the arrivals of emergency vehicles. There is no doubt, however, that we need to make our streets safer, improve opportunities for healthy exercise and reduce the levels of harmful (to human health and to the planet's climate) emissions into the atmosphere. Well-located and well-designed LTNs can make really positive contributions. There have, however, been reports of some local planners 'watering down' or even abandoning the creation of LTNs in their areas, after bouts of high-volume 'outrage' from 'residents'. A recent report ( https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/oct/22/despite-a-loud-opposing-minority-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-are-increasingly-popular), suggests that LTNs are actually supported by a majority of people. It seems to me, that LTNs are a good concept (we really need to discourage short, low occupancy car trips) but that the planners have to be careful and seen to be widely-consulting in their plans (some people can neither walk nor cycle). They should not, however, give too much prominence to the loudest voices!