Parliament to debate Low Traffic Neighbourhoods this afternoon

It may not be the biggest thing happening in politics today – there’s the small matter of the US presidential election and, on this side of the Atlantic, Prime Minister’s Questions followed by the debate on the new lockdown arrangements coming into force in England at 1 minute past midnight – but this afternoon, an adjournment debate will see MPs address the topic of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in London.

The motion, tabled by Ealing Central & Acton MP Rupa Huq, addresses “COVID-19 emergency travel and transport measures in London boroughs” and given the Labour politician’s public views on measures taken by Ealing Council, LTNs will be a strong part of her focus.

The borough has seen some of the most vociferous opposition to such schemes, albeit from a minority, with planters blocking off roads to rat-running traffic moved and even vandalised in areas such as Northfields.

Back in July, after Ealing Council had announced that scheme, Huq made a bizarre claim on social media that the aftermath of a tree falling in a nearby street somehow foreshadowed the “gridlock” she insisted would ensue following road closures.

Scary incident in South Ealing. Luckily everyone unscathed.

Makes this proposed madcap scheme that will gridlock the hood and cause mayhem for emergency vehicles even more ludicrous. Please object https://t.co/5SjhNV4Xns https://t.co/KwO6Er7Knj

— Rupa Huq MP (@RupaHuq) July 5, 2020

And in September, she wrote to Chris Cole, transport service planning manager at Ealing Council, raising a number of concerns about LTNs.

As we reported on road.cc last month, Labour-controlled Ealing Council subsequently won an emergency debate on LTNs in the borough, with council leader Julian Bell saying that it would “robustly defend” such schemes.

> Ealing Council wins crucial vote on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods at emergency meeting

Adjournment debates, lasting half an hour and taking place at the end of the day’s business in the House of Commons, enable MPs to raise a topic of his or her choosing, whether of local or national interest, with a government minister attending to give a response; such debates do not usually result in a vote.

We understand from our parliamentary contacts that the debate, which you will be able to watch by following this link, should start at around 7pm, and we will have a full report on proceedings later thsi evening or in the morning.