New £13m cycleway set to pedal positive change across Brent

Following a meeting with Andy Lord, the Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner, Brent Council has confirmed the next step in delivering Cycleway 72, a new high‑quality walking and cycling route that will link Wembley Central and Harlesden. Developed in partnership with TfL, the project is set to transform everyday journeys by making local streets safer, sustainable and more enjoyable for everyone who travels through the area.

Cycleway 72 will follow quieter residential streets wherever possible and will include fully protected sections to help people feel confident on their bikes. It also brings significant upgrades to Harrow Road, where 109 people were injured in collisions between 2018 and 2020. The improvements will help tackle road danger, improve air quality and ensure streets work better for everyone, whether walking, cycling, wheeling, using buses or driving.

The project will play an important role in reconnecting communities between Wembley and Harlesden and in supporting Brent’s wider ambitions to cut car use, encourage active travel and improve air quality. Public support has been strong, with more than four in five people saying the plans would encourage more walking and almost nine in ten saying they would encourage more cycling. 

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “Cycleway 72 is a game‑changer for our borough. For too long, people in this part of Brent have faced busy roads, unsafe crossings and barriers that cut communities in half. Thanks to the funding from TfL this new route will link the heart of Wembley to some of Brent’s fastest growing communities, from Bridge Park in Stonebridge, to the outskirts of Old Oak Common in Harlesden. Brent is moving forward and we are inviting everyone to come along for the ride.”

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner: “This scheme highlights the power of working in partnership, with TfL’s expertise and the borough’s deep local knowledge combining to create streets that truly reflect the needs of their communities. I look forward to seeing these improvements reshaping one of Brent’s busiest corridors, supporting more people to choose walking or cycling for everyday journeys, as we continue building a safer and greener London for everyone.”