*Lockable bollards removed from some restrictions following concerns raised by local Brent London Ambulance Service representatives.
** Restrictions removed to improve access to the Covid-19 testing centre on London Road.
The Brent Cabinet will consider a review of Brent Active Travel at its meeting on January 17th which includes Healthy Neighbourhood Schemes and School Street Schemes. The former have been controversial and School Streets less so.
Of the implemented Healthy Neighbour schemes officers recommend removal of Oliver Road, Dollis Hill, Preston Area and Tokyngton and Wembley Central Area schemes with further consultation and engagement with residents. Future schemes will be subject to the availabilityof funding.
The report to Cabinet recognises the benefits of such schemes but also issues around the trials which are attributed to the way the Government introduced them. It iis admitted that public opinion is polarised on the policy and the generally low response rate to consultation noted:
The Healthy Neighbourhood schemes aim to change the way in which people travel by reducing motor traffic on residential streets, creating safer, quieter, cleaner, healthier and more pleasant neighbourhoods that encourage walking and cycling. The benefits of these schemes are well researched and documented and the Government (link) and TfL (link) continue to support measures that encourage active travel.
Furthermore;
· Air pollution shortens the lives of Londoners, leading to nearly 10,000 premature deaths each year. In Brent, it is currently estimated that air pollution directly causes200 deaths per year (Public Health England, 2016) in Brent and that it is a contributing factor to many more conditions.
· Information provided by TfL (2016/17–2018/19 average) show that 50% of households in Brent do not own a car and there would be a 60% increase in private car travel if car owners switched their public transport trips.
· Around 1.6 million, or 22%, of all car trips made by London residents every day are under 2km and could therefore be walked (2.7 million more could be cycled).
· Almost 55% of Brent’s adult population are overweight, 34% of whom are classified as obese with a chronic lack of physical activity. By 2050 levels of obesity are projected to reach 50% of the adult population in Brent. Similarly, the most recent figures show that over 28% of Brent children in reception are overweight, 14% of whom are classified as obese
· Reducing car journeys reduces the potential of injuries from road traffic collisions.
Healthy Neighbourhood schemes have proven to be controversial and representations were considered at an Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council on 16th October 2020, details of which are available on our website.
Representations were received from residents from the Kilburn and Brondesbury and Queens Park areas following initial consultation with statutory stakeholders, (including the emergency services), for an Experimental Traffic Order, before notices were sent to residents in the area. The Council also received high numbers of objections and several petitions opposing the trial schemes.
At the Extraordinary Meeting of the Full Council in October 2020, it was recognised that these schemes can provide benefits in relation to climate change, air quality,health and that many of the concerns raised were in relation to the engagement and consultation process, which was as a result of the way in which central government had sought to introduce active trials.
Following the meeting of Full Council in October 2020, the decision was made to focus on community engagement prior to deciding on the implementation of the remaining five schemes. It should be noted for the Brondesbury and Queens Park and Kilburn areas, the major junction improvement works by Westminster City Council at Ladbroke Grove and Harrow Road may also have resulted in congestion in the area
Officers have also made the following recommendations and observations:
· The outcome of the consultation during the trial period indicates that none of the five Healthy Neighbourhood trial schemes were supported by the majority of local residents. From the responses from the community from within the Healthy Neighbourhood areas, between 70 and 91% of respondents opposed the current schemes.
· Generally, public opinion is polarised and officers have and continue to receive a high number of enquiries, particularly during the public engagement exercise and mainly from those that oppose the schemes.
· There is a misconception of a lack of consultation, this is a result of the way in which the Government sought to introduce active trials and limited TfL funding to deliver schemes at pace.
· There is also a lack of public understanding on the benefits of these schemes and the need to encourage active travel to improve air quality, health and wellbeing and respond to the climate and ecological emergency. The council will need to do more work on this.
· The effectiveness of these schemes have been negatively impacted by changes in circumstances with the spread of coronavirus and the need to remove physical measures so not to impede access to test and vaccination centres, and responses by the emergency services. The local London Ambulance Service raised specific concerns in relation to access and recommended the use of restrictions enforced by CCTV enforcement cameras so that they can gain access when needed. The effectiveness of the schemes was adversely affected by lockable bollards and plastic barriers being removed by unknown parties, and the lack of CCTV enforcement cameras.
· The community engagement exercise carried out by Living Streets provides some useful feedback on measures that may be successfully introduced in the future that would provide benefits to the area and potentially be supported by the community.
· Collaborative design with the community would help to engender public support for future measures, and these will need to be effective in preventing through traffic and trialled for a longer period, potentially 12 months. This would provide sufficient time for residents to experience the benefits and also for establishing the effect of the scheme in terms of monitoring changes to travel behaviour, traffic and congestion and the effects road safety and air quality.
· Officers have made recommendations for each of the five healthy Neighbourhood trial schemes in Appendix A. These are that; the Olive Road, Dollis Hill, Preston Road and Tokyngton and Wembley area schemes are removed, and the Stonebridge and Harlesden area scheme remains, with the exception of the restriction at Mordaunt Road, which will be removed.
· Officers will prepare a report for consideration by the Council’s Cabinet on the future approach to developing and delivering Healthy Neighbourhood schemes and a policy on the use of CCTV enforcement cameras and exemptions.
· The development and implementation of future schemes will depend on future funding being made available for that purpose
These are the officer comments and recommendations for each of the trial areas extracted Appendix A see the full Appendix for detail HERE.
Stonebridge and Harlesden Area
• There is a very low response for this area. Responses from roads where modal filters were installed (Lawrence Avenue, Mordaunt Road and Nicoll Road) a total of 22 responses were received. Of these 10 (45.5%) supported the scheme and 12 (54.5%) did not.
• The Mordaunt Road restriction is suspended / removed, this is also a route used by the LAS who raised concerns.
• The Nicholl Road closure remains but is not fully closed, as concerns have been raised by the LAS. Plans are developed for moving this to the junction of Craven Park Road. Consideration is given to a CCTV camera restriction with exemptions, subject to consultation and future funding. From the consultation responses 8 residents in the street supported the restrictions, two opposed.
• The Wembley to Willesden Healthy Streets Corridor would provide an opportunity for improved cycle infrastructure in the area over the next two years.
• It would not be feasible to restrict Lorries on the A404 Craven Park Road, but discussions will be held with TfL on lorry routes and signage to encourage alternative HGV routes.
• The Council will encourage play streets in the Borough and this area.
• There is further engagement with the community to develop ideas from the community engagement exercise, which would be subject to consultation and future funding
Preston Area
• There is very little support for the scheme overall.
• The restrictions are suspended / removed, Grasmere Avenue is also a route used by the LAS who raised concerns. From the consultation, 2 residents in Grasmere Avenue supported the scheme, 9 opposed. This will include the covering or removal of signage indicating restrictions, planters may remain in place and potentially be used should further
measures be introduced.
• One way systems are considered as an alternative means to restrict through traffic.
• Improvements to the Lulworth / Windermere roundabout, providing improved pedestrian and cycling facilities will be considered.
• There is further engagement with the community to develop ideas from the community engagement exercise, which would be subject to consultation and future funding
Tokyngton and Wembley Area
There was a very low response rate to the consultation on the Brent portal. For the Wembley and Tokyngton Hill scheme, there was a very low response rate of 4%.
• There is very little support for the scheme overall. Responses from roads where modal filters were installed (London Road and Tokyngton Avenue) a total of 18 responses were received. Of these 4 (22%) supported the scheme and 14 (78%) did not.
• Restrictions on Cecil Avenue and Rupert Avenue were removed early in the scheme to accommodate access to the London Road Covid testing centre• The restriction on Tokington Avenue should be removed. Only 1 resident supported the restriction, 7 opposed.
• An inspection of the pavements in the area will be arranged and defects meeting the intervention level programmed for repair
• A traffic speed survey will be carried out and speed reduction measures considered, subject to prioritisation and funding.
• A Controlled Parking Zone would reduce non-local traffic and this would be considered if there is evidence of wider support
• There is further engagement with the community to develop ideas from the community engagement exercise, which would be subject to consultation and future funding
Olive Road Area
• There was a good response to both the consultation during the trail and the community engagement exercise.
• There is very little support for the scheme overall.
• There were several reports of lockable bollards being removed
• The introduction of ANPR Cameras, potentially with exemptions for residents may be supported.
• Restrictions should be suspended / removed, including the St Michaels Avenue restriction as from the consultation, 1 supported and 8 opposed the scheme.
• There is potential for a new scheme to be developed taking into consideration the feedback from community engagement.
• A 7.5t ‘access only’ restriction could be incorporated into the design of a new scheme.
• The School Street Scheme is subject to a separate evaluation and review process.
• There is further engagement with the community to develop ideas from the community engagement exercise, which would be subject to consultation and future funding
Dollis Hill Area
• There is very little support for the scheme overall
• Restrictions should be suspended / removed. From the consultation for Dollis Hill Avenue, 1 supported and 21 opposed, for Oxgate Gardens, 6 supported and 14 opposed and for Gladstone Park Gardens, 8 supported and 72 opposed. The London Ambulance Service also raised some concerns about the restriction in Gladstone Park Gardens, access should be retained and CCTV enforcement should be considered.
• Dollis Hill Lane could be incorporated into the scheme area, but this is a bus route and access would need to be provided. The implications of restricting traffic on a main route would need to be considered.
• Measures to reduce speeding will be considered, subject to surveys, consultation and funding
• School street measures for the Jewish school can be considered within the school streets programme.
• Safety outside our Lady of Lourdes will be considered, along with the request for a pedestrian crossing. This would be subject to consultation and funding.
• Cycle lanes on the A5 Edgware Road ad Dollis Hill Lane could be considered in the future if funding becomes available. The council have an extensive programme for introducing Cycle Hangars, 50 new Hangars will be implemented in the spring of 2022. Consideration will be given to the area if there is demand.• There is further engagement with the community to develop ideas from the community engagement exercise, which would be subject to consultation and future funding
FULL REPORTS CAN BE READ HERE
LINK to the Motion on Healthy Neighbourhood Schemes passed at extraordinary Meeting of Full Council in October 2020.
