Tory councillors in Greenwich have called for a halt to the "unpopular and damaging" low traffic neighbourhood schemes.

Greenwich Council have issued a statement following recent debate, and assured the public they are listening to all views expressed on the schemes before deciding on each individual one.

Greenwich Conservatives say the controversial traffic measures should be paused, and that the Labour council should be required to seek 'explicit' public approval via a referendum before any more LTNs are introduced.

LTN's stop traffic shortcuts through residential roads by using barriers, such as planters, bollards or cameras.

Residents and businesses can still access their homes and premises, but may have to take a slightly longer route, whilst a quieter, more attractive network of streets is opened-up, argues the council.

Low traffic neighbourhoods planned in south east London

Low traffic neighbourhoods planned in south east London

Low traffic neighbourhoods have proved heavily controversial elsewhere in London too, including nearby in Lewisham.

Party leader Cllr Nigel Fletcher said rolling out the new measures without adequate consultation is a "recipe for traffic chaos."

He said: "The Council has been caught out by the predictable backlash from residents. Labour needs to listen to local people.

"We all want to see safer streets and cleaner air, and have indeed proposed our own ideas for such schemes, including measures to promote cycling.

"But they must have the clear support of local people in the areas affected. Getting it wrong will spark public anger and make it harder to proceed with genuinely sensible measures. Labour's mishandling of the issue serves no-one, and it's time for them to rethink their whole approach."

In a statement issued last week, Greenwich Council leader Danny Thorpe and the lead for Environment, Sustainability and Transport said they had been listening to concerns throughout the consultations, and will analyse in detail all responses.

Low traffic neighbourhoods planned in south east London

Low traffic neighbourhoods planned in south east London

"We understand that not all these proposals have been universally popular and we have received some real concerns about how some of the proposed schemes would work.

"I would like to assure residents and businesses that we are hearing those concerns and will ensure these inform decisions that we take.

"We have written today specifically to businesses on Old Dover Road, who have expressed significant concern about the potential impact of these proposals to ensure they know we are hearing those concerns loudly and clearly."

The council say that the LTNs are necessary at a time when climate change and poor air quality are already having a dramatic effort on our health.

Cars "disproportionately" affect everyone's quality of life due to pollution, speeding and illegal parking.

Encouraging people to travel on foot, by bicycle, by wheeling or by bus, this is part of the council's plans to tackle its climate change target. In Greenwich, a third of greenhouse gas emissions come from cars, vans and trucks.

The LTN is also expected to tackle air pollution, which is famously high in the capital - Long term exposure to air pollution can cause chronic conditions such as lung cancer and reduce life expectancy.

"However, we also understand that for some people and businesses, there are essential journeys that need to be made by vehicle."

"We will then announce the next steps on a scheme-by-scheme basis to address the issues raised and with just a few days to go before consultations close, I would strongly encourage anyone who hasn’t had their say yet to let us know as soon as possible."

The opposition councillors are now calling for Greenwich Council and the Mayor of London to formally halt the schemes, and require a clear majority of support from local residents before moving forward again.

The motion put forward by the Conservatives will be debated at a full council meting on March 31.