The Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Panel (TARSAP) of Harrow Council met on Thursday 5 February 2026 to discuss a range of traffic and road safety matters. Key discussions included public questions on road safety and speed limits, the review of petitions received from residents, updates on the annual parking programme, and progress on various traffic and active travel schemes across the borough. Decisions were made regarding the progression of several petitions and updates were provided on ongoing traffic and safety initiatives.

Public Questions on Road Safety and Speed Limits

The panel addressed public questions concerning road safety and speed limits. Mr Anoop Shah questioned Harrow Council's stance on adopting a default 20 miles per hour (mph) speed limit in built-up areas, citing the Bristol Declaration on Healthy Transport and positive outcomes in Wales and other London boroughs. Harrow Council stated it is not proposing a blanket 20mph limit but will focus on specific locations where residents have raised concerns and evidence suggests safety improvements. Targeted 20mph zones will be considered based on community demand and demonstrated need. Mr Shah sought clarification on the conditions for adopting a default 20mph limit, and officers explained that the council is focusing on evidence-based and demand-based implementation areas rather than a blanket approach, citing concerns about the effectiveness of blanket zones.

Mr Deepak Bhatt raised concerns about serious road and pedestrian safety issues at identified locations over the past four years, referencing the Secretary of State for Transport's comments on road safety neglect. He highlighted specific incidents, including a fatality on Besborough Road and a recent pedestrian fatality before Christmas, as well as injuries to a child and another individual. Mr Bhatt questioned the effectiveness of the TARSAP panel in addressing these concerns and pointed to the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding of £1.5 million as a potential resource. The panel acknowledged the frustration and assured that work is ongoing behind the scenes, with a detailed review of fatal road collisions in progress to identify common trends. The council reiterated its focus on evidence-based and demand-based implementation for speed restrictions.

Petitions Received

The panel received and considered several petitions from residents.

Councillor June Baxter presented a petition from residents of Dicksonfold and Westhouse Cottages, Pinner, requesting improvements to parking and safety, including the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ). The petition highlighted issues such as a lack of parking spaces for bungalows, unsafe conditions for children, road blockages, restricted access for emergency services, pavement damage, and increased noise and pollution. The petition was referred to the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy for consideration.

Councillor Nitin Parekh presented a petition from residents of Milford Gardens, Edgware, requesting an amendment to road parking restrictions and the provision of disabled parking bays. The petition argued that the current parking restrictions, operating from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm Monday to Saturday, were excessive for a residential road and caused hardship. They requested a revision to operate from 11 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday. Additionally, the petition highlighted the absence of any designated disabled parking bays, which disadvantages disabled residents and visitors. The petition was also referred to the Strategic Director of Culture, Environment and Economy for consideration.

The panel also received an update on petitions previously discussed. The petition regarding Harrow Fields Gardens resulted in the approval of officer recommendations with the removal of proposed double yellow lines opposite numbers 24 to 30, allowing for the installation of the remainder of the proposal. For Broadfields, concerns about large volumes of HGVs using the residential road were noted as predominantly a planning matter, with the council considering a width restriction but acknowledging potential costs, resident opposition, and physical feasibility issues. Regarding Cambridge Road Car Park, a request to extend the 20-minute free parking allowance for parents and carers of children at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School was being reviewed, with officers to look into extending the duration. An objection to local safety parking scheme proposals for Eastleigh Avenue was set aside by the Portfolio Holder and will be reviewed again if further concerns are raised.

Two petitions that were not initially included in the report, from Eastcote Lane and Field End Road, and St Jerome School, were acknowledged as administrative errors and will be dealt with as if they had been received at this meeting.

Annual Parking Programme Review

The panel received an update on the Annual Parking Programme Review, which detailed ongoing work on parking controls, including the CPZ programme, localised safety parking programme, and disabled person's parking spaces.

The Victor Road area and Wealdstone Royal Estate Zone C review have gone live under an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) and are being monitored until July 2026. The Gordon Avenue and Rectory Close proposals for CPZ controls will not proceed due to objections, with only essential road safety improvements, such as double yellow lines, to be implemented. Remaining Phase 1 CPZ programme items, including Rainsford Close, Merlin Crescent, Summit Close, and Penylan Place, are scheduled to go live in March 2026, subject to weather conditions affecting road marking works.

A proposed new CPZ, provisionally identified as Zone C2, is at Stage 2, with analysis being presented to ward councillors for a cluster of roads in the Stanhope Avenue and Sefton Road area. The M3 CPZ extension in South Harrow is at Stage 3, with statutory consultation planned for February 2026. Petition items concerning London Road for inclusion in Zone H will be consulted on in May 2026. South Hill Avenue and Hazeldene Drive are progressing through Stage 2 informal consultation. The wider Strategic CPZ Programme, including Phases 3 and 5, has been paused until May 2026 to align with the council's developing kerbside strategy.

Under minor parking schemes, Brockleyside is in the design stage for additional Pay-by-Phone parking facilities, with consultation expected in May 2026. Brember Road proposals for Pay-by-Phone parking and loading facilities are in statutory consultation, with a decision expected in May 2026.

The Cycling Adviser raised concerns about the effectiveness of interventions in terms of air quality, public health, and encouraging sustainable transport, requesting a report to measure these impacts. Officers acknowledged the benefit of such a report. The Public Transport Adviser inquired about the inclusion of Harrow View in the report, and was informed that the scheme for double yellow lines there had been delayed by weather but would be implemented as soon as possible.

Traffic Programme Update

The panel received an update on the Traffic Programme, detailing progress on various traffic schemes.

The 20mph Zones programme is active in several areas, with works on Radnor Road and Northumberland Road awaiting site meetings and implementation programmes, and statutory consultation for Sandringham Crescent concluding in February 2026. The implementation of a new zebra crossing outside Whitmore High School on Porlock Avenue is complete.

Bus priority schemes are being investigated for Sheepcote Road and Kenton Road. A feasibility study for converting a section of TfL Bus Route 324 from hail and ride to fixed stops has identified four feasible stops, with draft plans being reviewed. A feasibility study for Whitmore Road to improve bus journey times has led to proposals for peak hour waiting restrictions, which are currently being analysed following a significant number of objections. A feasibility study for Sheepcote Road to reduce bus journey times through new bus lanes and signal timing improvements is nearing public consultation. For Kenton Road, a similar scheme is progressing through TfL modelling, with consultation planned for the new financial year.

The Harrow Cycle Network project is underway, with the West Harrow section of the Harrow to Pinner route expected to complete by early February. Work has been paused on the Northolt Park to Rayners Lane and South Harrow to Eastman Village routes pending further TfL funding. Feasibility and preliminary designs are progressing for routes including Harrow to Harrow & Wealdstone Station, Wealdstone to Edgware, and Harrow to Harrow Weald.

Residential cycle parking is being proposed through secure cycle hangars on housing estates and cycle storage facilities in schools. A review of the footway on Northolt Road service road is complete, with the works pack submitted for statutory consultation. The Camrose Avenue Local Safety Scheme, including a feasibility study for a zebra crossing outside Krishna Avanti Primary School, is progressing, with trial holes planned for Spring 2026. A review of traffic calming measures on Dennis Lane has concluded, with results being analysed.

Councillor Asif Hussain raised concerns from residents in his ward regarding traffic programme designs near schools and the adequacy of the consultation process. Officers assured that the situation would be monitored and that the scheme had undergone safety procedures and meetings with Vaughan Primary School. The Cycling Adviser expressed concern that bus priority schemes on Sheepcote Road and Kenton Road might disadvantage cyclists and requested statistics on cyclist injuries and risk assessments. Officers stated that designs were at consultation stage and cyclist safety was a priority. The Public Transport Adviser inquired about collision statistics on Kenton Road.

Active and Sustainable Travel and Road Safety Report

The panel received an update on work to encourage sustainable transport, promote active travel, and deliver road safety education.

The development of Harrow's Active Travel and Kerbside Strategies is progressing, with early public engagement planned for February. The School Streets programme has three operational schemes, with a further scheme at Bentley Wood School approved but delayed. Data gathering and monitoring are ongoing for the Schools Vicinity Improvement Programme.

The TfL Travel for Life programme has seen 36 schools in Harrow achieve accreditation, with initiatives including anti-idling projects, walking and cycling maps, and road safety theatre in education.

Updates were provided on electric vehicle charging points, with Phase 1b of the Flat and Flush programme completed, adding 47 charge points. Installation of 225 lamp column charge points is complete, with a further 275 planned. The LEVI programme is progressing through the tender stage.

Cycle training has been delivered to 157 adults and 807 children since April 2025, with various schools participating.

The Public Transport Adviser questioned why bus travel was not explicitly included as sustainable transport alongside walking and cycling. Officers confirmed that bus travel is promoted as a sustainable mode.

Any Other Urgent Business

The Chair, Councillor Ameet Jogia MBE, formally thanked Ms Veronica Chamberlain, the Cycling Adviser, for her significant contributions to the panel since 1994, noting her pioneering role in its creation. Ms Chamberlain expressed her honour in serving the panel and thanked members, advisers, and officers for their cooperation.

The meeting concluded with thanks extended to officers for their presentations and to the Chair for his efficient leadership. Copies of the PowerPoint presentations were requested.