IN yet another twist in the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) saga in Ealing Borough, LTN21 in West Ealing and Hanwell has today been scrapped.

Following Hounslow Council's announcement that Swyncombe Avenue would be closed for the next two months, Ealing Council has decided to end the trial of LTN21 as it would otherwise be 'unworkable'.

The bollards are currently being removed and drivers will be able to drive through LTN21 from this weekend.

Ealing Council's new leader, Peter Mason said: "Ealing Council promised to listen to local people's views on active travel initiatives like LTNs, and we have done just that.

"The decision on LTN21 has been brought forward because of the closure of Swyncombe Avenue and we will be ending the trial this weekend.

"Remaining LTNs will be subject to a CPZ style consultation, with a vote for local people on whether they think the LTNs will work in their neighbourhoods.

"I've pledged that the council I lead will be open, transparent and inclusive.

"That means being honest about what works and what doesn't.

"This decision is about giving local people control over change in their neighbourhoods.

"Our commitment to tackling the climate emergency and enabling active travel and cycling remains unchanged, but we know we must take people with us."

Cllr Deirdre Costigan, Cabinet member for Climate Action said: "We are more committed than ever to tackling the climate emergency and reaching our goal of net carbon neutral by 2030.

"But tackling the climate emergency means we will all have to make changes to our lives, and as a council we will need to work much harder to persuade and encourage people to reduce reliance on unnecessary car journeys.

"Implementing active travel initiatives without community support is unsustainable – we can't do this without the support of local people.

"We know that people in Ealing want a cleaner, greener borough with less traffic and congestion, with different views on what we need to do to get there.

"We look forward to working with the thousands of people who have become more passionate and engaged in the future of their neighbourhoods because of the LTN debate to make our borough a better place to live for everyone."

Leader of Ealing Conservatives, Greg Stafford, said: "It remains the express policy of the Conservative Group – supported by the vast majority of residents – that the LTNs imposed during the pandemic have been unsuccessful and in many cases counterproductive to their stated aims of reducing congestion and pollution.

"We will continue to campaign to remove all these LTNs and if we are successful at next year's local election will scrap these LTNs immediately."

Leader of Ealing Liberal Democrats, Gary Malcolm, said: "This LTN as well as the others in Ealing have caused a great upheaval and distress to the lives of many vulnerable users as well as those who need their vehicles as part of their livelihoods.

"I press you (Peter Mason) to remove all of the LTNs as soon as possible as well as the Fishers Lane scheme in Southfield.

"Liberal Democrats and residents will continue to campaign on this vital local issue until every single LTN is removed."

Pro-LTN group Better Ealing Streets said: "We at Better Ealing Streets are disappointed to learn that Ealing Council has decided to end the trial of LTN21 – West Ealing South early.

"We would like to thank our members and everyone who has worked so hard to give the trial the best chance of success.

"We have seen first-hand the positive difference reducing traffic in neighbourhoods can make.

"Every day, we see more adults walking and cycling and more children playing in our streets.

"Ealing Council has committed to reducing traffic and levels of air pollution across the borough.

"We shall be talking to it in the coming days about how it plans to achieve these aims."