Harrow will not benefit from government funding to improve cycling and walking in the borough after it “prematurely removed” pop-up cycle lanes and low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) earlier this year. 

The special adviser to the prime minister on transport, Andrew Gilligan, confirmed on social media that Harrow Council would be banned from bidding for grants aimed at encouraging healthier travel. 

A Department for Transport document noted it had “halted all funding until we can be sure of the authority’s commitment to active travel” but that it hoped to “resolve such issues as swiftly as possible”. 

It comes as the council removed a series of traffic schemes – including new cycle lanes on busy roads and road blocks in certain areas – following a backlash from residents.

Posting on Twitter, Gilligan said: “The London councils where funding has been stopped, pending further discussion, are Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, K&C, Redbridge, Sutton, and Wandsworth.”

Harrow’s ‘Streetspace’ programme was put in place in 2020 using government funding aimed at promoting cycling and walking in response to the Covid-19 pandemic on a trial basis.  

However, many criticised the limited consultation on the proposals and argued they were causing more problems than they sought to address by shunting traffic to other roads. 

An ongoing campaign backed by the borough’s Conservatives saw the council commit to removing the schemes in April – at a cost of £75,000. 

Cllr Paul Osborn, leader of Harrow Conservatives, argued the council was wrong to take the initial funding without carrying out a thorough consultation. 

He said: “There is no point in receiving money from the Government for schemes that people don’t want and that won’t work in Harrow. 

“I believe in listening to local residents rather than imposing unpopular and unworkable schemes that will inevitably be removed.

“These schemes were removed after six months and after extensive consultation with residents, with over 80 per cent of residents rejecting them. I will always listen and put Harrow residents first.”

Transport for London (TfL), which wrote to London councils affected by the Government’s announcement, explained it would support those showing their support for healthy travel initiatives. 

A TfL spokesperson said: “We are focussing available funding on ensuring that boroughs can continue temporary projects and those already under construction. 

“As a result, more funding has so far been allocated to those boroughs who are progressing this type of project. 

“We have written to other boroughs where we need further discussions around specifics of their funding.” 

Harrow Council has been contacted for comment.