Road layout changes intended to promote cycling and walking in Harrow will be reviewed in March, despite calls to scrap them immediately.

Harrow Council’s traffic and road safety advisory panel (TARSAP) last night (January 11) voted against suggestions to remove all outstanding low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and pop-up cycle lanes in the borough.

TARSAP member Cllr Ameet Jogia, who represents Canons ward, proposed these measures, part of the ‘Streetspace’ programme, be reversed and redesigned following public opposition.

He was supported by his Conservative colleagues on each scheme – four LTNs and three cycle lanes – but the Labour councillors, who form a majority on the panel, called for a review at a special meeting on March 23 following a “full consultation”.

They suggested they should “let the people decide” by providing feedback to the council before this date rather than make recommendations as a committee at this stage.

The new traffic measures have split opinion since their implementation last year – some have suggested they have caused increased traffic and pollution issues, while others believe they have made roads safer, promote active travel and support a healthier environment.

At yesterday’s meeting, the panel received several public questions and deputations criticising the council’s approach to the ‘Streetspace’ programme, particularly around a lack of consultation and a “failure to listen to residents”.

Cllr Jogia argued “it’s clear [the measures] are not working” while Harrow Conservatives leader Cllr Paul Osborn urged the council to “put these schemes out of their misery”.

Both councillors said removing the schemes in their current states would “rebuild the trust” between elected representatives and residents, while a failure to do so would only lead to further deterioration.

There were also representations from those in favour of the schemes, who said there had been a clear positive impact in terms of tackling speeding, while, in their experience, the increase in travel times had been minimal.

They added it is difficult to assess the impact of the road changes given the numerous changes that have taken place, such as modifications to increase emergency access, and the influence of lockdowns and utilities works.

David Eaglesham, of the traffic and highway network management at Harrow Council, said it intends to launch a full consultation as soon as possible to gauge the wider public opinion on this issue.

This is despite a TARSAP report outlining responses to the council’s ‘Streetspace’ feedback page, where the majority of comments were negative.