I don’t know anyone who drives when it’s easier to walk or cycle or use public transport. There are times though when we need to use a car and that’s not going to change with the introduction of LTNs and busgates. I got to thinking about these occasions and how the LTNs and busgates will increase journey lengths which in turn will increase CO2 emissions.
I found 3 examples which are real scenarios from the everyday and did the analysis with the help of Google Maps and a CO2 emissions online calculator. (see Background)
Example #1
You live in Regent Street and each week you bring your elderly and frail relative to your house for Sunday lunch. It’s a highlight of their week. You collect them in the car from St John’s Care Home and take them back at the end of the afternoon.
At the moment the return journey is 1 mile which generates 0.21kg of CO2.
With LTNs the return journey will become 3 miles generating 0.62kg of CO2.
That’s an increase of 0.41kg of CO2
The St Mary’s LTN roughly trebles the CO2 emission.
Example #2
You live in Crown Street. You’ve recycled everything you can in the allotted bins but when you have a clear-out you have stuff that you should take to the Redbridge Recycling Centre. This could be DIY materials, textiles, large hard plastic items, wood, or even just an excess of garden refuse as the brown bin is flowing over.
At the moment the shortest return journey is 3.8 miles which generates 0.79kg of CO2.
With LTNs the return journey will become 5 miles generating 1.04kg of CO2.
That’s an increase of 0.25kg of CO2.
LTNs here increase emissions by about one third.
Example #3
You live in Warwick Street and have a regular hospital appointment up at the Churchill. Cycling or walking isn’t an option here.
At the moment the return journey is 3.8 miles which generates 0.79kg of CO2.
With just LTNs the return journey will become 4.6 miles generating 0.96kg of CO2.
This is an increase of 0.17 kg of CO2.
The St Mary’s LTN adds more than 21.5% (one fifth) more CO2 emissions.
With the addition of busgates in St Clements as well as LTNs this return journey will become 9.8 miles via the ringroad generating 2.04 kg of CO2.
This is a staggering increase of 1.25kg of CO2.
That's one and a half times more CO2 emissions than at present!!
My conclusions
Make no mistake, we all want to do the right thing for the planet, but the LTNs and busgates don’t do this. The Green Party doesn’t talk at all about the extra emissions that are going to arise from LTNs and busgates..
Think Green, Act Green, VOTE INDEPENDENT!
Vote John Skinner, Independent
@onestmarys
Background
The calculations I made assume the following:
1) According to the RAC Foundation the UK’s average new car fuel consumption in 2020 was 5.4 litres per 100km for petrol vehicles (https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/environment Q31). I use this in my calculations. Remember the emissions will change depending on the fuel type (diesel, electric) and the size of the engine (large car, van).
2) CO2 emissions calculator: https://comcar.co.uk/emissions/footprint/
Try this for yourself with your own journeys.
3) All of the examples assume that the journeys are not made at peak-hours.
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