Harrow Conservatives criticised a “waste of taxpayers’ money” on contentious traffic schemes after a report highlighted their unpopularity.

The group said it welcomed the likelihood that many of the trial projects – put in place under the government-funded ‘Streetspace’ programme to encourage walking and cycling – would be removed following extensive resident feedback.

However, it hit out at the Labour administration responsible for implementing the six-month projects, which included pop-up cycle lanes and road closures to form low-traffic neighbourhoods, accusing it of failing to listen to public opinion despite repeated warnings.

Cllr Paul Osborn (Pinner), leader of Harrow Conservatives, said: “It has been terrible to see residents put through the chaos and congestion caused by Labour’s Streetspace schemes.

“These schemes were not wanted in the first place; the fact Harrow Labour has doggedly stuck by these incredibly unpopular and poorly planned schemes up to now goes to show how arrogant and out of-touch they are.”

He added his group has consistently opposed many of the schemes since they were put in place last year, while he paid tribute to residents groups that have repeatedly challenged the council’s approach to the programme at public meetings.

The report on the Streetspace trials, which showed around 90 per cent of residents who offered feedback were opposed to new cycle lanes in Honeypot Lane and Uxbridge Road, will be presented to a council traffic and road safety advisory panel on Thursday (April 22).

This committee can only make suggestions, which will be passed on to the council’s cabinet, with a final decision on all the schemes expected on April 29.

A spokesman for Harrow Council stressed the circumstances around the programme, including the impact of statutory guidance from the Government which urged councils in London to implement emergency travel plans in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He explained measures were put in place to “create space for people to socially distance and encourage walking and cycling, while public transport was at reduced capacity”, which would be assessed regularly.

“It was important that the views of Harrow residents and other key stakeholders were listened to, so a commitment was made by Harrow Council cabinet to keep the schemes under ongoing review, with a report brought back to TARSAP, to consider the consultation results and the future of the schemes,” he added.