FreeHarrow
residents campaign group
Freeharrow was formed in 2020 from a group of residents opposed to the number of motor vehicle roadblocks implemented across the Borough by the old Labour Council under 'Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) Schemes” The schemes were introduced without proper consultation and caused a number of problems including traffic jams, higher pollution levels, longer journeys and added to the distress and anxiety levels of people in our community.
After an extensive campaign by a number of like minded residents the council were eventually forced to remove all the schemes.
This achievement was the first in the country and many other boroughs are still fighting to get their schemes removed.
This group continues to exist to inform residents of issues concerning Harrow and to campaign for issues of benefit to the residents of Harrow.
Free Harrow was a fast-growing, group of residents and businesses who campaigned to reverse the roll-out of draconian, dangerous and discriminatory road closures across Harrow & Wealdstone.
Harrow Labour council had implemented a number of motor vehicle roadblocks across the borough under the ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) Schemes’ without having an in-depth transparent consultation with all of its residents & business.
The group had brought together pedestrians, cyclists, the disabled, motorists, bus-users, delivery drivers, commuters, business owners, faith congregations, schools and tradespeople whose daily movements around the borough had been negatively impeded by a ‘perfect storm’ of Harrow labour council’s road closures and traffic restrictions.
Free Harrow continues be is a peaceful, neighbourly, grassroots organisation that speaks for residents and all road users who love their neighbourhoods and want to reclaim the vibrancy of their communities.
Specifically, the group supports the drive for less traffic, lower pollution, better public transport and safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians, especially the elderly and disabled. Its passionate and broad-based opposition to the TfL Street space scheme and government-backed LTN (low-traffic neighbourhood) changes was because they had precisely the opposite effect and put people in danger.
Journeys took longer; pollution had soared from gridlocked traffic; cyclists had been injured by turning vehicles; the elderly and disabled could not park or be dropped off outside shops; emergency vehicles got stuck in stationary traffic; sealed-off roads made them more dangerous for pedestrians, especially at night; businesses could not receive deliveries and the streetscape had been blighted by poles, bollards and concrete blocks.
The purpose of this group was to respond to this undemocratic process reclaim our roads for all users and get the LTNs removed from our borough.
Whilst we appreciated that these schemes had been rushed through under emergency Covid legislation, there were multiple issues with restricting vehicle access without proper planning and alternative infrastructure in place.
We are a peaceful group of residents and do not condone any vandalism of property or any threatening behaviour. We simply wanted Harrow Labour council to listen to our grievances and concerns.