Town hall challenged over notorious traffic fine hotspot in Gospel Oak

A controversial decision to keep a timed road closure at one of Camden’s most notorious traffic fine hotspots has been challenged by opposition councillors.

Plans to maintain the restriction in Grafton Road with improved signage will now go before Camden Council’s culture and environment scrutiny committee tomorrow.

Conservative Cllr Chris Knight triggered the call-in of the decision to enforce restrictions with CCTV – instead of automatically rising bollards – because he believes the options have not been properly explored.

Restrictions ban drivers from going southbound along Grafton Road in the morning rush hour and northbound in the evening.

A council consultation did not consider reinstating bollards. The document said they were previously used between 2002 and 2005 and failed 24 times in three years.

Cllr Knight says the technology has moved on significantly in eight years.

But Cllr Phil Jones, Camden cabinet member for sustainability, said: “Local people recall the malfunctions and anti-social behaviour the bollards attracted, including breaking down, being superglued and having concrete poured over them.”