The Workers Party, London Branch, strongly condemns Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s recent implementation of a so-called Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) on Rivercourt Road, branding it as a cash-grab scheme that prioritizes revenue generation over the welfare of local residents. This policy, introduced by the Labour-run council, not only fails to address genuine traffic and pollution concerns but also exacerbates divisions within the community while financially burdening the majority of road users.
Statement from Workers Party London Branch
“This LTN scheme on Rivercourt Road is nothing more than an opportunistic revenue-raising exercise disguised as a traffic management solution. At just 350 feet long, this is Britain’s smallest LTN, and it does little to address broader traffic or pollution issues in the area. Instead, it pits residents against each other, restricts access for working people, and undermines local businesses.
Labour councils like Hammersmith and Fulham are once again proving that they are more interested in filling their coffers than listening to the needs of ordinary people. This scheme is a betrayal of working-class residents, who are being squeezed for every penny under the guise of environmental progress.”
A Divisive and Ineffective Policy
Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s decision to install CCTV and issue £130 penalties for motorists using Rivercourt Road reflects a misguided and shortsighted approach to traffic management. The introduction of LTNs across London under the guise of environmentalism has consistently failed to address core issues such as:
• Traffic Displacement: Instead of reducing congestion, LTNs push traffic onto surrounding streets, creating worse conditions for nearby communities.
• Community Division: The scheme benefits a small handful of residents while the vast majority—including local workers and visitors—face financial penalties and increased inconvenience.
• Economic Harm: Small businesses that rely on access to local streets are unfairly penalized, further straining the local economy during an already challenging economic climate.
Exploiting the Working Class
The Labour-run council has claimed that the LTN addresses traffic and safety concerns, yet it is clear this policy is primarily designed to generate income through fines. As The Hammersmith Society pointed out, the council could have opted for more practical and cost-effective solutions, such as speed bumps, but chose instead to prioritize revenue.
“This is not about safety or reducing congestion—it’s about money,” said a spokesperson from the Workers Party. “Labour councils like Hammersmith and Fulham are quick to roll out punitive measures on working people while ignoring practical solutions that would genuinely improve the lives of residents.”
Residents’ Voices Ignored
While a small number of Rivercourt Road residents have campaigned for LTNs due to traffic concerns, this scheme ignores the wider needs of the community. Thousands of motorists, including Blue Badge holders and non-resident workers, are now penalized for simply navigating their way through Hammersmith.
“This policy does not reflect the voices of the broader community,” said a Workers Party representative. “Labour councils are increasingly imposing top-down decisions without consultation or accountability, using policies like LTNs as a cover for their failures to deliver meaningful, inclusive solutions.”
Workers Party Demands
The Workers Party calls on Hammersmith and Fulham Council to:
1. Suspend the Rivercourt Road LTN Trial: Halt the punitive measures and engage in meaningful community consultations.
2. Implement Practical Traffic Solutions: Explore less divisive and more cost-effective measures, such as speed bumps, improved signage, and traffic flow management.
3. Ensure Transparency in Policy Decisions: Publish a full financial breakdown of LTN-related revenues and demonstrate how funds are reinvested in the community.
4. Prioritize Local Needs Over Profit: Stop exploiting local residents and workers under the pretense of environmental policy.
A Stark Warning for Labour Councils
This policy represents yet another example of Labour-run councils failing to deliver for working people. The Workers Party warns that such exploitative measures will not be forgotten by voters in upcoming local elections.
“Labour is alienating the very communities it claims to represent,” said the Workers Party London Branch. “The people of Hammersmith and Fulham deserve leadership that prioritizes their needs, not policies designed to extract fines and divide communities.”
For Further Information, Contact:
Workers Party – London Branch
