A mother warned there could be a fatal accident on an estate because motorists are making U-turns to avoid a new 'healthy school street'.
Camden Council has launched a trial scheme near Kingsgate Primary School, banning traffic from sections of Maygrove Road and Loveridge Road and the whole of Ariel Road at the start and end of the school day.
Sandra dos Santos, secretary of the Sidings estate tenants’ and residents’ association, told Camden Council on Monday (November 20) that her son had nearly been in an accident with a motorist.
She warned: “There will be a fatality. My son cycles to school and he nearly got hit by a car because they are just doing U-turns on our estate.”
Ms Dos Santos said while she supported the aim of reducing traffic and pollution, the new zone - currently being trialled for 18 months - will "inevitably" lead to more school run traffic being diverted into the estate.
She said that because the estate is a "dead end", closing roads to traffic after Maygrove Road's junction with Barlow Road brings in extra traffic, and with it pollution.
Sandra dos Santos from Sidings estateTRA addresses Camden Council Nov 2023. Pic Julia Gregory, free for use by partners of BBC news wire service
She said: “It is impossible for any cars to do a U-turn in Maygrove Road, which is an added reason for cars choosing to go round Sidings estate. This will create chaos for current residents and will almost certainly not lead to an improvement in the air quality on the estate."
As an alternative, she asked the council to consider starting the zone before the Maygrove Road junction with Fordwych Road.
West Sidings estate with healthy school streets exemption sign. Photo: Sandra dos Santos
She said: “This change would allow cars coming from Kilburn High Road to make a left turn onto Fordwych Road, reducing traffic on our estate and, more importantly, safeguarding the wellbeing of our community.”
Fortune Green ward councillor Lorna Greenwood backed residents’ calls for a review of the layout.
Adam Harrison, cabinet member for a sustainable Camden. Pic Julia Gregory, free for use by partners of BBC news wire service
Cllr Adam Harrison, cabinet member for a sustainable Camden, said he could look at extending the zone as requested.
He said: “Incorporating the entire Sidings estate as a zone is not impossible.”
He added: "We have to make the schemes work."
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