Experimental traffic safety measures near some Harrow schools could continue for at least another six months as environmental activists called for them to act as a springboard for other projects.

Harrow Council’s traffic and road safety advisory panel yesterday (Thursday, April 22) recommended the ‘school streets’ initiative be extended.

Part of the wider Streetspace programme, which used government grants to encourage cycling and walking, it prevents cars from using roads near schools at drop-off and pick-up times using automatic number plate recognition cameras.

Initially running for a six-month trial period, councillors suggested it should continue for another six, with the option to extend this by the same frame again.

It came as TARSAP recommended other Streetspace schemes – pop-up cycle lanes and planters blocking roads in low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) – be removed immediately following an “overwhelmingly” negative public reaction.

However, those in favour of all measures aimed at promoting active travel suggested new solutions should be found, citing the success of the school streets programme as evidence.

Anoop Shah, representing Harrow Cyclists, said there had been “benefits” to the LTNs and new cycle lanes, with reduced traffic in certain areas and more people going out on foot or by bike.

“LTNs are an important tool for encouraging walking and cycling and, in general, they are well-supported by the public as shown by surveys,” he said.

“The boroughs that have taken the Streetspace funding and have used it successfully have had an ongoing programme and strategy.

“It’s important that they’re done properly – that the engagement and implementation is correct, and the trials are kept in place long enough to show a benefit.

“We hope the council learns from these trials and can put together a programme for the future.”

He also suggested a school street project be put in place near Vaughan School in lieu of a West Harrow LTN and called for a few road closures to remain in Headstone South to provide some additional safety measures to those who wish to cycle or walk more.

Cllr David Perry (Lab, Marlborough), vice-chairman of TARSAP, said the desire for safer streets, more walking and cycling, and better air quality is “unanimous” across the borough and it is up to the council to help decide how to achieve this.

He added the agenda “isn’t going away” and called for certain council funding to be ringfenced to help tackle the issue.