Street space reallocation under austerity: The case of low traffic neighbourhoods in the UK

Street space reallocation measures, such as Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), have attracted substantial controversy in the UK and elsewhere, for instance around reported poor engagement with residents and local actors. However, limited attention has been given to the political-economic context shaping scheme implementation, such as the impacts of reduced resources or the use of short-term, contingent funding. Based on 37 interviews with officers and councillors who implemented or sought to implement LTNs in 12 English local authorities, and part of a larger project investigating the impacts of LTNs in London, this paper addresses the gap. It shows how challenges to design, engagement and delivery are often linked to funding scarcity and processes of projectification, advancing the literature on transport governance and controversy. • Limited attention has been paid to the political-economic context shaping the implementation of Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes • Existing approaches to funding active travel schemes, which in the context of austerity urbanism exacerbate the negative aspects of projectification, affect the success of schemes • Schemes require significant investment in terms of staff time and knowledge • They would also benefit from more funding to deliver greening aspects • The effects of austerity and projectification are exacerbated within uneven geographical areas • Local authorities with access to additional internal resources were able to implement and sustain schemes and learn from mistakes • Less resrouceful local authorities saw initial failures translate into increasing challenges for future schemes and an overall inability to implement successfully