MP Smarter Travel (MPST website) is working with the Queen’s Park community to discuss options for a Healthy Neighbourhood, centred on better traffic management. MPST was appointed by Brent following QPARA’s February 2023 proposal (see below) to test a wider area for traffic management, rather than just a few streets where residents independently pressed for restrictions. The current project area is outlined in this map
MPST is delivering two phases of engagement to co-design possible local interventions. These are for community discussion during the engagement period to 6th December.
Phase one of MPST engagement – is complete
The report prepared after phase one can be seen on the Brent website. It is also available towards the bottom of this page.
Phase two of MPST engagement – is complete
Both Options A & B have been rejected.
The Phase two Report can be downloaded from the Brent Council QPHN Website
Phase two put forward the following:
From the Phase 1 feedback, MPST put forward two options for further feedback. One is quite far-reaching, the other more contained, as follows.
Option A is more radical and would restrict entry to west and east avenues, perhaps on a 24/7 basis.
Option B has some connection with a QPARA 2023 suggested scheme (see below) but has unexplained changes.
There are two videos that can be accessed using the QR codes on Brent Council website: QPHN Website. These give an outline of the two Options and further details on the whole project.
It should be noted that MPST did not make any specific proposals for the operation of the camera-managed modal filters (3 in Option A and 2 in Option B). Typically, they are used to enforce restrictions on the type of vehicles that are allowed past. Such restrictions can be 24/7 or limited to certain hours. MPST are looking for feedback on that, although this is not made very clear.
It should also be noted that the request for feedback was not limited to a choice between these two options. The survey allowed for other responses, including “neither” and also had space for free-text feedback.
QPARA also understands the Council will need to decide by Spring 2025 whether to retain or conclude the current experimental traffic scheme centred on Summerfield Avenue (see below) as it will have been in place for 18 months, as allowed in relevant legislation. While extending the duration of an experimental scheme is unusual and arguably inconsistent with legislation, the alternative prospect of traffic being unrestricted on the southern group of avenues (maybe from next Spring) while continuing to be limited on the northern group (where the experiment started later) is considered undesirable.
Recent history – update from QPARA’s Streetscape and Traffic Group
QPARA has been actively responding to the Council’s motor traffic management schemes since 2020. That September during Covid, it emerged via a leak that Brent intended to implement without prior consultation a far-reaching traffic scheme (LTN19) covering the areas north and south of the London Overground down to Harvist Road.
QPARA opposed the lack of consultation and the scheme itself, principally on the grounds that some through traffic would be diverted back to through roads which were already more polluted and congested than the “side” roads that would be protected.
We carried out our own pollution and traffic counts to substantiate our position. There was no meaningful dialogue with the Council about the issues, though eventually they did not proceed.
Subsequently residents of Summerfield Avenue held private discussions with Councillors and officers, not disclosed to QPARA, with the aim of protecting their street from morning weekday rush hour traffic. This resulted in a formal Council consultation in Jan/Feb 2023 on a scheme to protect Summerfield, Dudley, Montrose and Hopefield between 7 and 10am west to east on weekdays. QPARA opposed this scheme as partial and bound to divert traffic to Windermere and other Avenues further north.
For discussion with Brent, QPARA in Feb 2023 tabled a more far-reaching scheme geographically blocking morning rush hour traffic 7.30 to 9 at the turn from Chamberlayne to Chevening and southbound over Tiverton Bridge plus 3 other minor restrictions. Brent did NOT discuss this with QPARA but announced in July 2023 that they would go ahead with the Summerfield scheme as above and appoint consultants to address QPARA’s proposals.
The Summerfield scheme began in October 2023, but the Consultants MPST did not begin to operate until February this year, 2024. By then it had become clear that, as predicted by QPARA, the Summerfield restrictions diverted serious volumes of traffic to Windermere and other Avenues, so QPARA supported extension of the Summerfield restrictions to all Avenues on the east of the Park. This extension began in April 2024.
Current actions – QPARA Streetscape and Traffic Group
QPARA is working to assess the potential impact of the two MPST options on the Queen’s Park area and gathering insights from local residents and those in adjacent areas. We reported the current situation to members present at our Annual General Meeting on 14th November and are meeting MPST for discussions on 21st November. Lack of data and wider impact assessment are among our concerns.
MPST are holding a further public engagement event at ICMP on 18 November at 4.30 to 6pm (full details are on Brent’s website ).
QPARA is in touch with the very active local WhatsApp One Neighbourhood which is engaging the issues and will take account of their views when a summary of these is received. A One Neighbourhood petition has been launched and is available to sign HERE.
Phase One Report
Information flyer – note, this was sent before the engagement period was extended.
Note:
This has been taken from information supplied by MPST. QPARA is not responsible for the study or these events.