A bitter row over a controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) has turned a leafy corner of northwest London into a 'toxic battleground', with families fighting to have the scheme scrapped.
A Community Divided by Road Closures
For residents in Queen's Park, being stuck in heavy traffic has become a daily routine since Brent Council introduced road closures under the banner of creating 'healthy neighbourhoods'. The scheme, which began as an 18-month Extended Trial Order (ETO) in November 2023, closes Summerfield Avenue, Montrose Avenue, Hopefield Avenue and Dudley Road to through traffic on weekday mornings.
Campaigners say the measures have backfired spectacularly. More than 2,000 people – representing one in six residents in the ward – have signed petitions against the project. They argue it has simply displaced traffic onto surrounding roads, increasing pollution, noise, and creating lengthy tailbacks. Videos have even emerged showing ambulances caught in the resulting gridlock.
"It has created a tremendous amount of entirely unnecessary division and negativity in the community," said Peter Phillips-Minet, 52, who has opposed the scheme since it was first proposed five years ago. "We are now two years into what was billed as a '6-month experiment'. It has generated an awful lot of misery."
Councillor's Role and Renewed Anger
The controversy intensified when it emerged that Labour councillor Stephen Crabb lives on one of the roads now closed to traffic. Emails obtained through Freedom of Information requests appear to show he pushed for the pilot scheme. In one communication, he asked officers to 'crack on with the pilot scheme' and suggested weighting engagement so residents of the closed roads were not treated the same as those outside the area.
Despite a council-commissioned report in 2021 finding over 80% of respondents opposed the idea, the trial went ahead. When the initial trial period ended in April 2024, residents expected it to be scrapped. Instead, the council bafflingly renewed it for another 18 months, altering the closure times slightly from 7.30am to 9am.
"You're not allowed to just change the times," argued outspoken critic Sanjay Nazerali, 60, who questions the legality of the renewal. "They basically just created the most socially regressive policy that's torn a community apart." He told a council Cabinet meeting the ETOs have "caused deep and lasting division" and created a "two-tier ward".
Residents Speak Out Against 'Performative' Policy
Even some living within the LTN boundaries, who benefit from quieter streets, criticise the scheme. Nick Burstin described it as "performative" and "Daddy knows best", noting it "pits one street against another".
Olga Brookes, whose road benefits from the closures, is also against it. "It's lovely and quiet on our street in the mornings," she admitted. "Yet all around us is sheer hell – completely blocked main roads, chaos, pollution and misery. The traffic doesn't move. Children walking to school inhale toxic fumes."
Barbara Want said the situation had "tipped people over the edge", branding the councillor's involvement "patronising and self-serving". She warned the unpopularity could erode Labour's local majority in next year's elections.
The council maintains the trial is ongoing. Councillor Krupa Sheth stated: "We welcome the high response... which reflects a wide range of views. All feedback is being carefully considered... Our commitment remains clear: to work with residents to tackle congestion, improve air quality and support safer, greener travel."
However, with campaigners vowing not to give up and having created two of the top five most signed petitions in Brent's history, the battle over the Queen's Park LTN is far from over.
