West Harrow Councillors are holding a communtiy Zoom meeting to discuss the future of the West Harrow Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Wednesday 3 Feb at 6.30pm-7.30pm. 

Please follow this link to attend: https://socialfinance.zoom.us/j/97214960739

The low traffic neighbourhood provides an essential safe cycle route and safe routes to Vaughan School. Over time it will encourage people to walk or cycle more and drive less. However the vocal opposition from some motorists has led to the council reconsidering the scheme. 

The scheme was intended as a 6 month trial followed by consultation, but since 23 December motor vehicles have been able to pass through the open barriers illegally, so the trial was effectively just 3 months. LTN trials need to be at least 6 months to allow people to start to change their travel behaviour, so if the council is not going to make the scheme permanent, they should at least extend the trial. 

The barriers need monitoring by automatic numberplate recognition cameras so that people do not drive through illegally. One suggestion mentioned by councillors is that residents may be allowed access, but it is not advisable for all residents to have access as traffic levels will remain high enough to discourage walking and cycling. It might be reasonable for residents of particular streets to have access through one filter to have an alternative access route, but not to be able to drive through the whole area. 

We understand there may a formal consultation may be held soon - it is essential that this gives everyone a fair voice (one response per person/household), unlike the commonplace website, where people have been posting multiple negative comments. 

Please try to attend the meeting on Wednesday and contribute to the debate to save the West Harrow LTN!

Thank you for your support!