Barnet Council, funded by TFL (which has a commitment in order to get Department of Transport funding), began implementing an isolated bus lane scheme along half a mile of Regents Park Road, London N3, over the weekend 15-18 August 2025.

The design and implementation are dangerous. The road is not physically wide enough for two lanes of traffic, bus lanes and parking. Vehicles regularly need to cross the central line into the path of oncoming traffic risking collisions with pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles.

Following serious safety concerns, complaints from residents, local councillors and our MP, Barnet Council cancelled further construction planned for 29 Aug – 1 Sep 2025.

This stretch of road contains 11 side road junctions, at least 40 driveways, access roads for flats plus a pedestrian crossing, bus stops, parking and loading bays.

Public and Statutory consultations in 2024 failed to inform most local residents and businesses, leaving the vast majority unaware until just before works began.  

Our Demands

We call on Barnet Council to:

• Take immediate action to eliminate all dangers and safety issues introduced by the elements of the scheme already implemented, including but not limited to those listed below under safety issues.

• Ensure no further implementation work for the scheme is carried out.

• Permanently remove the bus lane scheme elements already implemented and reinstate the road layout broadly to its former layout.

• Replace the box junction markings at the end of Tillingbourne Gardens with Keep Clear markings so at busy times it is feasible for vehicles to exit into Regents Park Road without incurring penalties.

It is hoped Barnet Council will meet some of these demands quickly, but this petition will still be needed until all are met.

Safety issues: 

• Traffic at junctions having to cross bus lanes

• Road crossing for pedestrians

• The wide northbound bus lane results in dangerously narrow north and southbound lanes for all other traffic

• Narrow lanes adjacent to narrow parking spaces and loading bays  
  Danger for cyclists at a pinch point

• Inappropriately positioned traffic islands causing difficulties for large vehicles entering from side roads
• Vehicles using lanes inappropriately due to signage relating to non-operational bus lanes  

What’s Wrong with the A598 Regents Park Road Bus Lanes Scheme?

• Created major problems which didn’t exist before: The scheme has changed a previously straightforward free flowing, wide road into a congested area with confusing uneven lanes, obstacles, and hazards, increasing accident risks for all users.

• Narrow lanes: The scheme has produced stretches of extremely narrow traffic lanes, frequent shifts in lane width and direction, a pinch point near a traffic island to accommodate a very wide northbound bus lane also with erratic shape and road markings. Vehicles, especially large vehicles including buses often struggle to pass safely, crossing lane markings separating oncoming traffic. Entering and exiting from side roads is more involved due to the extra number of lanes of traffic. The overall result increases the risk of head on collisions.

• Poor design: Good Practice in key road design documents Manual for Streets (Department for Transport) and Bus Priority Design Guidance (TfL) does not appear to have been followed in the selection of lane widths and parking and loading bay sizes. It does not appear to “make sure schemes do not negatively impact one user against another unnecessarily”.

• Complexity: The layout and associated signage are complex and confusing for drivers to assimilate.  At busy times increased congestion already occurs where the northbound bus lane, other traffic and turning vehicles have to change lanes / merge where the scheme ends at the East End Road-Gravel Hill traffic lights. If the south bound bus lane is implemented similar issues are likely at the major Henly’s Corner intersection with the A1 / A406 North Circular Road to the south.

• Environment: Increased carbon footprint and pollution from vehicles delayed by congestion.

• Bus journey times: will not be reduced by any discernible degree.

• Impact on the Community: In addition to widespread concerns about accident and injury there are practical difficulties for all road users and nearby residents. Local businesses report reduced trade since the scheme’s introduction. Frustrations are echoed by a bus driver’s comment: “Hate it. Doesn’t make sense.”

Regents Park Road must be reinstated back to how it was without delay.  

Remove the bus lanes NOW!  

Please sign this petition.