Update from Cllr Ozaydin

Following a petition from residents of the Bowes Quieter Neighbourhood, please see the following update from our Cabinet Member, Cllr Ozaydin:

Thank you for your letter and petition outlining the concerns from residents in the Bowes Quieter Neighbourhood. We truly appreciate the time you took to gather signatures and share your views at the Scrutiny meeting in February.

We want to assure you that the Council carefully followed every necessary step in designing and delivering this project, and we’re confident in its safety. We felt that Warwick Road and the associated traffic signals as the main entry point was an appropriate choice. As part of our broader effort to promote alternative travel and reduce unnecessary car journeys, the Bowes Quieter Neighbourhood is intended to help create a safer, healthier community. Nonetheless we do understand that cars remain essential for many journeys, especially for those with specific mobility needs, and our aim is simply to gently encourage more residents to explore alternative travel options.

We recognise that the A406 North Circular can cause congestion and disruptions that impact daily life. While the project has helped reduce through-traffic in the area, we understand the concerns about access arrangements and the effects of congestion on the A406.

In light of these issues, we will undertake a trial to assess the impact of allowing additional residential access through the camera-controlled points at Warwick and Maidstone Roads. This trial will be carefully planned and guided by evidence to ensure we introduce changes that benefit the community whilst maintaining safety and the aims of Quieter Neighbourhood. Therefore, we will:

• Collect data on current vehicle movements through the neighbourhood, including the proportion of journeys made by residents with existing permit exemptions.
• Undertake a trial in which additional permits are issued to residents, allowing use of the Warwick and Maidstone Road camera points.
• After a 12-month period, we will assess whether the volume of motor traffic remains within acceptable levels to respond to residents needs whilst supporting the aims of the Quieter Neighbourhood.

Overall, the intention of trial to explore adjustment in our approach to better suit the unique layout of the Quieter Neighbourhood and the concerns raised by residents while still keeping the benefit of reduced through-traffic. Over the next few weeks, we'll be carrying out safety checks and gathering some initial data, and at the same time updating our system so residents can easily apply for a vehicle permit online if needed. Once these steps are done, we hope to launch the trial at the start of Summer 2025, and we'll keep you informed about any updates or changes through the Bowes Primary Quieter Neighbourhood project page.

Further updates will be added to the project page along with the development of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for the trial. Any suggestions for questions to be added to the FAQ should be emailed to the project team via JourneysandPlaces@enfield.gov.uk

We are committed to listening to residents and making decisions based on clear evidence. Any changes that result from the trial would be subject to further engagement and review, including consideration of how they align with our wider policy objectives.

Thank you again for raising your concerns and your patience whilst the petition has been fully considered.

Cllr Ozaydin