A north London neighbourhood is deeply divided over a controversial low-traffic scheme, with a councillor's perceived conflict of interest eroding trust among residents. Brent Council introduced Experimental Traffic Orders (ETOs) on four streets in Queen's Park—Summerfield, Dudley, Montrose, and Hopefield—restricting car access between 7am and 10am on weekday mornings. The trial, which began in October 2023, is set to conclude in April 2024.
Supporters, including the Anti Rat Running Group, claim the scheme has dramatically reduced traffic on previously gridlocked roads. Marina Cantacuzino, 65, a representative of the group, said the trial has 'revolutionised our life'. However, opponents argue the measures merely displace traffic onto surrounding streets. Jacinta Chan, 51, and her husband Ian Chan, 56, residents of nearby Harvist Road, reported mornings of gridlock since the ETOs were implemented.
The debate traces back to 2020, when Brent Council proposed low-traffic neighbourhoods without public consultation, sparking a 3,500-signature petition. A subsequent engagement exercise in 2021, conducted with Living Streets, proposed a similar scheme, which one resident said 'sowed the seeds of community division'. The latest ETOs have intensified the split, with some residents feeling that a few streets have been prioritised without considering consequences.
Jacinta Chan emphasised a desire for compromise and greater transparency, calling for independently verified data to inform decisions. The council has not yet commented on the ongoing trial or the allegations of conflict of interest.
