All Blue Badge holders in Haringey will be able to travel through every one of the borough's three low traffic neighbourhood trials after talks with disability groups.

Low traffic neighbourhoods were brought in to discourage unnecessary journeys by car. The current procedure enables permit holders living inside or on their boundaries to travel through most camera-enforced traffic filters.

On Tuesday (July 11), Haringey Council's cabinet will consider an update that would give around 10,000 blue badge holders full access following a "listening and engagement" exercise with disability and community groups.  

Low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) use a combination of enforcement cameras and physical barriers to stop through-traffic from using residential streets.

Disabled drivers could apply for exemptions - but some LTN cameras did not permit this. One pensioner was left "confused" after being fined four times for driving in a low traffic neighbourhood despite having a blue badge exemption.

Cllr Mike Hakata, deputy leader and lead member for climate action, environment and transport, said: “We have engaged extensively with disability groups, including holding very positive discussions about how we can simplify the exemptions process.

“We understand the importance of ensuring that residents facing obstacles in their daily lives do not encounter additional challenges due to the implementation of low traffic neighbourhoods."

Other proposals include allowing council-registered SEND vehicles to pass through cameras to help people with special educational needs and disabilities. 

Cllr Hakata said the "progressive" recommendations "aim to strike a balance between facilitating access for those with specific needs while maintaining the objectives of the schemes in improving air quality, reducing congestion, and creating safer and more inclusive spaces".

Councillors will also discuss an initial review of the impact of the Streets for People LTN schemes, based on the first few months’ data.

The report shows a drop in traffic levels inside the trials of 55%, 51% and 66% for the St Ann’s, Bruce Grove West Green and Bounds Green, respectively.

Following a review of feedback and the data so far, changes are recommended to the Bruce Grove West Green trial such as removing the filters on Linley Road and Moorefield Road, and opening access to The Avenue in a westerly direction from Bruce Grove. 

A 7.5T HGV ban on Downhills Way/Belmont Road is also recommended that could cut the number of lorries on those streets.

Cllr Hakata added: “The schemes have been implemented on an experimental basis. Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to carefully monitor and listen to feedback from residents and businesses.” 

In June, the council announced it would almost treble the number of School Streets to 61.

Next Tuesday, Haringey's cabinet will also consider a recommendation to make six School Street zones permanent.

Cllr Hakata added: “From being the most dangerous time of the day for children, with the highest number of child casualties occurring during the school run, our School Streets programme is an essential tool in returning our streets to children.”

The cabinet meeting will begin at 6.30pm.