Stonebridge & Harlesden Healthy Neighbourhood

The Stonebridge and Harlesden Healthy Neighbourhood scheme aims to reduce rush hour traffic, promote sustainable journeys, and create safer, cleaner, and quieter streets for all residents.

Brent Council commissioned MP Smarter Travel (MPST) to work with the local community within the Healthy Neighbourhood area to understand community perspectives on the scheme and analyse data to understand the scheme's impact, to shape any potential design changes and deliver maximum benefits.

Following a first phase of engagement in Spring 2025, MP Smarter Travel (MPST) have worked with Brent Council to outline options for the updated design of the Healthy Neighbourhood. The options are a direct response to the findings from the first phase of engagement.

Timelines

The second phase of engagement, which invites residents to give their opinions on the potential options, is now open. Phase two of engagement will run from August 2025 until September 2025. Following the conclusion of this engagement phase, MPST will make recommendations for an updated design for consultation.

This project is an engagement exercise, and it is not a formal consultation. Stakeholders within and outside the project area are invited to participate in the engagement.

Engagement methods

Survey

To give your feedback on the updated design options for the Stonebridge and Harlesden Healthy Neighbourhood scheme, please complete the Phase 2 Survey.

Drop-in questions and answers

The next event will take place on Wednesday 17 September 2025 between 4.30pm - 7pm at the Brent Hub Community Enterprise Centre, 6 Hillside, London NW10 8BN.

The engagement Q&A and drop-in will be hosted in the Cowan Room.

This will be a chance to ask questions and gather more information about the project or give your feedback on the updated design options.

Hotspot engagement

Consultants from MPST will conduct hotspot engagement in the area on the week commencing 18 August 2025, to gather feedback on the updated design options.

Email

If you have further questions about the scheme, contact us at shhn@mpsmartertravel.co.uk

Further information

• View Cabinet decisions and notes for 17 January 2022
• View the Community Engagement report
• View the Monitoring Review report

Why has this project been commissioned?

Following a consultation, it was agreed by the Cabinet in January 2022 that the Stonebridge and Harlesden Healthy Neighbourhood scheme would be made permanent.

In line with Transport for London (TfL) guidance and requests from residents, the scheme is being reviewed to explore possible additional changes or adjustments.

The Council has commissioned MP Smarter Travel (MPST) to work with local community in Stonebridge and Harlesden to better understand the impact of the Healthy Neighbourhood.

Why has this project been commissioned?

Following a consultation, it was agreed by the Cabinet in January 2022 that the Stonebridge and Harlesden Healthy Neighbourhood scheme would be made permanent.

In line with Transport for London (TfL) guidance and requests from residents, the scheme is being reviewed to explore possible additional changes or adjustments.

The Council has commissioned MP Smarter Travel (MPST) to work with local community in Stonebridge and Harlesden to better understand the impact of the Healthy Neighbourhood.

What are the other schemes that are happening alongside this?

Walking and cycling improvements between Wembley Central and Harlesden stations – This 5km route would be north-west London’s first major cycle route, connecting Wembley, Stonebridge Park and Willesden Junction.
The Stonebridge and OLOL School Street – This School Street scheme on Wesley Road (NW10 8PP) has been permanent since 2022.
Church End and Roundwood Green Neighbourhood Action Plan – This project has improved public realm and delivered improvements such as new permanent school street, new library, and community orchard. Also includes reuse and repair event, local Climate Community Action Group and Green Corridor feasibility study.
Review of Harlesden Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) – Harlesden was highlighted as an Air Quality Focus Area (AQFA). It focuses on tackling air pollution to eliminate health inequalities.

What is a modal filter?

A modal filter is a traffic management tool which restricts the passage of certain types of vehicles past a point, along a section of street or in a certain direction. They are indicated by traffic signs at the point of restriction and enforced using council-operated cameras, or bollards or planters in the carriageway.

Camera-managed modal filters (sometimes referred to as a traffic filter) do not require gates, planters or other obstructions to the road. The types of vehicles restricted and times of operation can be varied within nationally set rules, but on a locally decided basis.

Can there be exemptions for modal filters, no entry or mandatory turn restrictions

Motor vehicle exemptions can be made to modal filters, for example blue badge holders and residents within the project area.

Emergency vehicles are always exempt. Times of operations, exemptions and locations of existing or new modal filters are open for suggestion and discussion as part of the project.

Legally we cannot exempt motor vehicles from no entry or mandatory turn restrictions. This includes blue badge holders.

Could current modal filters be adjusted as part of this project?

Recommendations for the design will be decided based on community feedback and data analysis. This could include amendments to current scheme, or additional design elements.

Will additional traffic management and street design recommendations in addition to modal filters be recommended as part of this project

Community feedback on wider aspects of traffic management and street design will be collected and reported back to us.

Is there any data to show that Healthy Neighbourhoods reduce traffic within the project area?

Professor Rachel Aldred, University of Westminster, published a report in January 2023 which shows that similar schemes have substantial benefits inside their boundaries and contribute to wider traffic reduction goals.

View the Changes in motor traffic inside London’s LTNs and on boundary roads report.

TfL done a review in February 2024 which also cited numerous benefits including improved road safety, lower crime levels, and no adverse impact on emergency response time.

Recent independent research from BMJ also shows that LTNs in London reduced road traffic injuries among all road users inside the LTN areas, with no evidence of overall impact (and for cyclists and motorcyclists a benefit) on boundary roads.