Brent Healthy Neighbourhoods FAQs

In partnership with Transport for London, we are trialling something a bit different to try to stop ratrunning, support active travel and improve air quality in the longer term.

Air pollution shortens the lives of Londoners, leading to nearly 10,000 premature deaths each year. On the other hand, walking and cycling (also known as ‘active travel’) helps to improve people’s physical and mental health.

A Brent Healthy Neighbourhood (BHN) is a group of residential streets where vehicle traffic which isn’t local to the area is either discouraged or removed. These areas are also sometimes referred to as 'Low Traffic Neighbourhoods'.

In a BHN, residents are still able to drive onto their street and get deliveries. However, road closures are placed at certain points within neighbourhoods to stop “non-local” traffic (cars, lorries, vans, for example) from passing through the area.

Why do we need Brent Healthy Neighbourhoods?

Our travel habits changed during the pandemic, and so we have unique opportunity to rethink how we get around and to try to improve people’s health and local air quality. Whilst the pandemic is our most pressing concern, the climate emergency has not gone away and we remain committed to policies that move us closer to carbon zero by 2030.

Aims of these schemes include:

• Fewer cars cutting through residential streets
• Healthier travel, encouraging more walking and cycling
• Less traffic in the wider area (this is called ‘traffic evaporation’ and happens as people adjust their travel habits)
• In the longer term, improved air quality for our lungs and our environment

How do they work?

Colourful planters are placed at strategic points to stop traffic from using the residential road as a cut-through. But people who live on that road still have access.

Everyone will be able to walk and cycle through the area and residents can still drive to their home using an altered route. Emergency access is also available.  

Are there any health benefits?

Yes. This approach has been shown to work in other areas of London and beyond. For example, a similar scheme in Waltham Forest delivered measurable improvements in air quality, with some streets seeing a 90% reduction in motor traffic (56% on average).

It also got people walking and cycling 41 minutes more each week on average after just one year. Being physically active has benefits for mental and physical health. In fact, a King’s College London study of Waltham Forest has shown that these changes result in several months added to life expectancy across the population.

Lots of information on benefits can be found at the London Living Streets website 

Won't they just increase traffic on nearby streets?

With any new scheme, it may take some time to see a change, but evidence from other areas of London shows that low traffic neighbourhoods result in an overall reduction in traffic.

A large study of these kinds of schemes found that, contrary to what you might expect, traffic does not behave like water moving through pipes, finding an easier path as another narrows. Instead, it is common to see ‘traffic evaporation’ in the surrounding area.

This is because people make all sorts of different decisions when driving conditions change. In half of the case studies, there was an 11% reduction in number of vehicles across the whole area where road space for traffic was reduced, including on the main roads. 

Where else have low traffic neighbourhoods been built?

Waltham Forest and Enfield have long-standing low traffic neighbourhoods and many more are being introduced across London as part of TfL's Streetspace scheme.

In other countries, the Netherlands has successfully implemented similar low-traffic schemes. Here, walking and cycling is now the main mode of transport for the majority of journeys.

Where are Brent Healthy Neighbourhoods currently planned?

A number of Healthy Neighbourhoods have already been introduced. A further eight are planned:

• Harley Road area, Harlesden
• Queens Park area, Queens Park
• Kilburn area, Queens Park
• Olive Road area, Mapesbury
• Dollis Hill area, Dollis Hill
• Preston Park, Preston
• South of Princess Avenue area, Queensbury
• Roundwood Park area, Willesden

Why have these locations been chosen?

The council looked at access to green space, air quality, levels of deprivation, poor road safety as well as a number of other metrics to decide on where to implement Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. Their contribution to our recovery plan priorities/objectives was also taken into account. The deliverability of the scheme was also essential, as funding allocated must be spent within a certain timeframe.

Why wasn't I consulted before this happened?

In normal circumstances we would not introduce a traffic scheme like this without comprehensive engagement with the local community first.

In order to secure government funding, which was conditional on fast-tracking these schemes, we are consulting during the six month trial, rather than before it. 

These measures are not permanent yet. We are encouraging residents to let us know what they think via open consultations for each location. These can be found by searching our consultation hub. All views will be fully considered at the end of that trial period.

How can I comment on these schemes?

As there are several schemes planned, you can comment on the schemes you are interested in.

How will success be monitored?

Traffic surveys have been undertaken in the areas where Brent Healthy Neighbourhoods are being implemented. These will be repeated during the scheme to assess the impact on traffic levels. 

Brent’s existing air quality network will be monitored to assess changes in NO2 concentrations. We also aim is to collect NO2 data at a sample of Brent Healthy Neighbourhoods during the 6 month trial period. 

Comments collected during the initial consultation period will be reviewed as part of monitoring the success of the scheme.

Following the trial, an independent evaluation will be commissioned to review data obtained from the monitoring surveys and responses received from the public consultation for all the Healthy Neighbourhood schemes, including the reasons for support or objections.

This will include data from traffic surveys, travel modes, air quality, road safety and bus journey times along with any information provided by the emergency services. The evaluation report will feed into a decision report recommending whether the scheme should be made permanent in the future with or without amendments, or the scheme should be removed.

Can I request for my local neighbourhood to be included?

Expansion of this scheme will depend on additional funding being obtained and there is no guarantee of this. However, if think a local neighbourhood could benefit, you can let us know your ideas. These comments are reviewed periodically and added into a list of schemes to be prioritised as and when funding becomes available.

What measures have you put in place to mitigate any impact on emergency services response times?

We have carefully consulted the emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service. The detailed plans have been reviewed by representatives and we have made changes based on their feedback. We will continue to work with them during the trial period. Every time we install a new planter or barrier, we upload that change to a system which updates the GPS used the emergency services so that they can plan the quickest route. The bollards are locked with a special key used across London by emergency responders in the Fire Brigade and Police.