Poor consultation to blame for LTN discord, says Lib Dem candidate

Our candidate in the Latchford West by-election, Sharon Harris, has blamed poor consultation for all the upset caused by the implementation of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) trial in neighbouring Westy:

I recognise that a number of residents have very genuine concerns with the LTN on Grange Avenue. The Lib Dems would have addressed this issue differently by having face-to-face consultations with residents. We would have listened to their concerns and addressed them at the beginning of any trial period before they became problems.

We would also have anticipated some of the obvious problems such as displaced traffic and air quality outside the LTN being compromised. There should have been a constant open dialogue between the Council and residents to work out the solutions together.

LTNs are only successful as part of a whole town initiative. Isolated trials will only ever highlight the problems of displaced traffic congestion and air quality. Inexpensive public transport is needed to enable us to get about our town easily without having to use cars.

At the same time, we all need to be able to breathe clean air. I am an air quality campaigner and Warrington is regularly in the top five towns in the northwest for the worst air quality. Last month I organised a symposium to discuss air quality in the town.

I am campaigning for the right sort of air quality monitors to be installed throughout the town. At present we only have two and I am working with others to have indoor and outdoor monitors at all Warrington schools. Current monitors focus on nitrogen dioxide, not particulates. Particulates PM2.5 and PM10 are the most detrimental to human health and can cause respiratory problems, dementia, autism and certain heart conditions.

Residents are only part-way through the 18-month trial period. Although they were consulted, the consultation was not good enough and another LTN trial is about to start in April. Residents need and deserve better consultation which is ongoing throughout the trial.