London Council Tackles Rat Running

14 September 2020

Hammersmith and Fulham Council in London has introduced a ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhoods’ scheme in the hope of reducing ‘rat running’ through small, residential roads. 

This scheme was trialled on three streets earlier in the year and is now in full force, with £130 fines for motorists passing through without a permit purchased in advanced by a resident. These fines may be reduced to £65 if paid within 28 days.

The council is using a camera-enforced Automatic Number Plate Recognition system to catch offenders on Harwood Terrace, Bagley’s Lane, Broughton Road, Hazelbury Road and Imperial Road.

The scheme has been put in place in the hope of reducing traffic, following the recent £6 million renovation of the major route along Wandsworth Bridge Road, to reduce traffic speeds. 

A spokesperson for the London council said, “Our sole aim is to reduce rat running through our streets, not make money. The scheme follows consultation with hundreds of residents, including a cross-party working group including local residents.

“Traffic is down in the scheme area and fines at a local box junction have dropped by over half. The congestion on Wandsworth Bridge Road is due to the work on Wandsworth Bridge, which is cutting road capacity by half”.

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