LTN killed my business: Locksmith becomes second London trader forced to move premises after cycle-friendly Lower Traffic Neighbourhood was put up 'without consultation' blocking his shop to passing customers

A London business owner has been forced to spend around £50,000 moving his shop to another premises after a Low-Traffic Neighbourhood cut off the business to passing traffic.

Scott Callow, who owns Callow Master Locksmiths in Dulwich, was one of several business owners on Melbourne Grove impacted by the scheme, which triggered protests by residents and business owners earlier this year. 

The more than 20-year-old business is set to open in a new premises on Grove Vale on Monday after complaining in March of 'a significant downfall in trade since the road closures were put in place'.

A Twitter account named Reopen Melbourne Grove, which is run by 'worried business owners' in the area said in a post that the locksmiths was the second business to move due to the 'unconsulted' road closure and that three more were also considering relocating. 

The road closure scheme, which began in November, has ended motor vehicle access to Melbourne Grove, which remains open to cyclists and pedestrians, as part of a London-wide bid to cut air pollution.

A London business owner was forced to spend around £50,000 moving his shop to another premises after a Low-Traffic Neighbourhood   cut off the premises to passing traffic

Scott Callow, who owns Callow Master Locksmiths in Dulwich, was one of several business owners on Melbourne Grove impacted by the scheme, which triggered protests by residents and business owners earlier this year. Pictured: Work being done on the exterior of Callow Master Locksmiths' news Grove Street premises

In May, residents of the affluent East Dulwich area held a protest against the closure of the Dulwich Village junction. 

At the time, a spokesperson from the Dulwich Alliance, which brings together several interest groups, told Southwark News: 'We were able to put our point across that 24/7 closures stop emergency vehicles getting through, discriminate against elderly, vulnerable and mobility-impaired residents, and push traffic and pollution on to residents and schools in neighbouring streets.

'We want a solution that balances the needs of the whole community, both young and old, and which doesn't empty some streets of traffic by increasing congestion on others.'

Residents were informed of the road closures in a letter from the council in June 2020, which said a consultation would be scheduled for summer this year before any changes were made permanent

In May 2021, Southwark Council launched a review into the road closures in Dulwich Village. 

'We are actively listening to local businesses and the needs of traders along Melbourne Grove as part of the current consultation on the Dulwich Streetspace Trials, and will be making a decision in September – in the mean time we have already added more parking for business on and near Melbourne Grove,' Southwark Councillor Catherine Rose, cabinet member for transport, parks and sport told MailOnline in an emailed statement.

'We wish Callow's well for the future in their new, larger premises and are pleased that they've stayed local – we value all our independent businesses and aim to do the best we can for both them, and residents. 

'Businesses in the Dulwich area have received over £22m in support via the council and we are engaging on further work, to do even more to support the local economy and our high streets as businesses return to normal, now that restrictions have ended.' 

The council is in the process of analysing responses to the consultation on the closures, according to its website.

'In previous consultations with people in Dulwich, respondents raised concerns about high traffic levels and road safety for people walking and cycling.

'Then, in 2020 the new need for social distancing required us to implement measures that would help people remain safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also had to support people to limit their car use by creating routes to make walking and cycling safer,' the website read.

The road closure has ended motor vehicle access to Melbourne Grove, which remains open to cyclists and pedestrians, as part of a London-wide bid to cut air pollution

'As a result, the council introduced a number of schemes in 2020 as Experimental Traffic Orders . We introduced these measures at this time to support social distancing on our local high streets, by encouraging more people to walk and cycle locally to help avoid overcrowding on public transport.

'As these are experimental measures, on 17 May 2021 we began a public consultation process to gather and understand local views and experiences.'  

LTNs have been introduced to allow for social distancing on footpaths and cycle during the coronavirus pandemic. 

But the scheme has caused controversy as many believe it is being implemented to 'punish' motorists.

In March, footage emerged showing a blue-lit fire engine halted, a police car's driver forced to turn around and an ambulance having to weave between traffic after congestion built up on Chiswick High Road in west London due to an LTN.

Video footage taken from a flat overlooking the busy road, which features Cycleway 9, showed the emergency services struggling to get past slow-moving cars and buses in three separate incidents on March 25 and 26.

Furious motorists across the UK have accused the government of a 'war on drivers' with the scheme, which has seen roads blocked, traffic congestion increased and journey times lengthened.

Angry residents in several London boroughs have staged protests against LTN schemes in their areas. MailOnline readers have also previously shared some of their LTN nightmares. 

In many cases, residents have complained that the move has resulted in usually quieter side roads being turned into rat-runs by motorists who have had to divert.

Photographs taken across the capital in the likes of Tooting, Streatham, Balham, Islington, Mayfair and Victoria showed how the new cycle lanes were empty while cars and vans sat in heavy traffic alongside them. 

The Government is spending £225 million on similar measures across the country, most notably in Oxford, Manchester, Birmingham, York, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Derby and Cardiff. 

One van driver complained about a scheme in Bristol, saying it adds 20 minutes to his journeys.

He previously told MailOnline: 'These measures are adding about 20 minutes per hour to every journey. Which means I'm working longer for less. It's crazy.' 

'It was 3pm on Wednesday, when traffic would usually be light, but a tailback snaked behind and ahead of Steve for more than a mile.

'On August 3, the council reduced the space for powered vehicles on Lewins Mead from two lanes to one.

'Since then, the nearside lane has become a thoroughfare for bicycles. Incidentally, while at the junction for 30 minutes, I saw only one cyclist use the bike lane.'