FAQs

This project is funded from Transport for London as part of the Streetspace programme.

A modal filter is a point along the road which prohibits motor vehicles from passing through, but which continues to enable people to walk and cycle through. Two main types of modal filters are in place:

• Bollard modal filter:

Large bolted-down planters and bollards typically placed within the traffic lanes to close the road to through motor traffic. People cycling are allowed to travel between the planters, but all motor vehicles, including mopeds and motorcycles, cannot proceed through the filter.

• Camera-enforced modal filter:

Large bolted-down planters typically placed at the side of the traffic lanes to reduce the width of the road. There is no physical barrier, such as a bollard or gate, placed between the planters to stop the general traffic passing through the modal filter. Instead, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera is used to enforce the ‘Motor vehicles prohibited’ signs which are placed on each side of the modal filter. Sufficient gap is provided between the planters to allow through access for cyclists and exempt motor vehicles such as emergency services. Any other motor vehicles, unless exempt, travelling through this modal filter would be captured by a CCTV camera and issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for not obeying the traffic restriction.

We anticipate the volume of traffic within the area to reduce as it will only be local traffic accessing or visiting the area. We will need to monitor the impact on surrounding roads. However, observations from similar schemes in other areas of London has shown that not all traffic reassigns onto local strategic roads with people changing their travel behaviour by:

• Using alternative travel modes, such as walking or cycling for shorter trips;

• Carrying out their journeys at quieter (off-peak) times of the day;

• Choosing to combine trips, such as a trip to the shops on the way to, or from work;

• For longer journeys, reassigning onto the wider strategic network, away from the local area;

• Car sharing;

• Choosing not to make the trip at all; or

• Altering the allocation of tasks within a household to enable more efficient trip-making.

There will be a range of assessments that will need to be balanced when judging the overall success of the trial. Assessments will include:

• Residents views on how the benefits of the scheme compare against the disbenefits
• Data on the volume of motor vehicle movements in the area
• Data on the speed of motor vehicles in the area
• Impacts on the primary roads surrounding the area
• Air quality considerations
• Bus journey time considerations through discussion with Transport for London
• Outcomes of ongoing dialogue with the Emergency Services

Reporting on the trial will also consider whether the scheme supports the delivery of the Enfield Council Plan.

We have already collected traffic data in the area, counting vehicle movements at a range of locations throughout the area, including on surrounding roads. We will repeat this process once the measures have been implemented and can start to compare the data to determine the level of success and impact.

We will also carry out air quality modelling using traffic data collected.

No. Vehicle access is maintained to all roads within the area. Vehicle access may be limited to in/out of the same end of the road, but none of the roads are completely closed to motor traffic, enabling access and deliveries to continue. 

Delivers / visitors to the area use the same access points as residents. Refuse vehicles, as well as emergency vehicles, have dispensation to be able to pass through camera enforced modal filters.

‘Motor vehicles prohibited’ signs
‘No entry for vehicular traffic’ signs

The purpose of the camera-enforced modal filters is to prevent drivers from travelling through them, whilst allowing emergency vehicle access.

The ‘motor vehicles prohibited’ signs give effect to a Traffic Regulation Order that prohibits the use of a road by motor vehicles except for the emergency vehicles. On the contrary, the ‘no entry for vehicular traffic’ signs prohibit all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. This is in compliance with the legal requirements of The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Schedule 3, Part 3, Paragraph 11.

'No entry for vehicular traffic’ signs could for example be seen at entry points to one-way streets, where access to all vehicles, including emergency vehicles, would not be permitted. Hence this type of sign would not be appropriate for camera-enforced modal filters.

As per the Highway Code, signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive. Specifically, the Highway Code mentions that “Red rings or circles tell you what you must not do, e.g. you must not exceed 30 mph, no vehicles over the height shown may proceed”. Therefore, the ‘motor vehicles prohibited’ signs indicate that motorised vehicles (including cars, vans, lorries, motorcycles, and mopeds) are not permitted to drive past them. Emergency services are exempt from this rule and are therefore permitted to drive past the ‘motor vehicles prohibited’ signs.

Road users have an obligation to know and apply the rules contained in the Highway Code, which includes, among others, the signs that will be used for camera-enforced modal filters. Please refer to the Highway Code at the following link for more details: https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/road-signs-giving-orders.html

Experimental Traffic Orders (ETOs) enable the Council to implement the scheme on a trial basis. The scheme can be in place for a short period and removed or changed. There is no minimum length of time after the initial implementation after which the scheme can be removed or changed. However, the Council would like to ensure an appropriate amount of time to assess viability of the scheme before any decisions are made. 

A consultation must take place during the trial period and before a decision is made on whether to remove the trial of make the scheme permanent. 

A report will be written to summarise the feedback. Monitoring will also inform any decision made by the Council. 

The Council, including ward councillors are committed to undertaking a meaningful consultation that will inform our decision making for the Fox Lane scheme. 

Yes. Given the ETO nature of the scheme, the consultation with community takes place during the trial rather than ahead of the scheme being implemented.

The Council have engaged and been in communication with emergency services and TfL before starting the trial.

Yes. This is the benefit of taking a trial approach. We're using planters and bollards for the modal filters that can be re-located as necessary. Balancing the desires of all residents is a significant challenge and it is recognised that these kind of schemes will mean that some residents will have to take alternative routes for some journeys. 

The scheme is implemented using an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) enabling the Council to make temporary changes and consult with community and stakeholders during the trial. This gives the Council an opportunity to review feedback and see how the scheme operates and either make changes to the trial, remove the scheme or make it permanent. 

Before a decision is made whether to make the scheme permanent, feedback and monitoring will be reviewed, and a formal report produced and published on our website. 

Traffic data collected for the Fox Lane Quieter Neighbourhood will be used to inform air quality monitoring. This is achieved by inputting the traffic volume data into a model to help understand the impact on air quality, which can be compared to the situation prior to the scheme using historical data collected. This will be done for both data collected prior to the implementation of the trial, and data collected during the trial. Details on the roads where this analysis will take place is contained within the slides outlined here.

A “FOX virtual permit” is the name of the virtual permit issued by Enfield Council that exempts permitted vehicles to pass through camera-enforced modal filters in the Fox Lane Area Quieter Neighbourhood (Fox Lane Area QN) without receiving a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). Virtual permits mean that a permit will be registered to a vehicle without a physical permit being issued to the permit holder. 

You may receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) if your vehicle is seen passing through a camera-enforced modal filter and it is not the same vehicle registered on your permit.

Those eligible for a FOX virtual permit must:

• Live within the FOX Permit Zone, and
• Hold a valid Blue Badge.

A map of the Permit Zone can be viewed in the Document Library on this page.

FOX permit holders can nominate one vehicle to pass through the camera enforced modal filters within the Fox Lane Area Quieter Neighbourhood without receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.

The permit could either apply to the Blue Badge holder’s own vehicle or another nominated vehicle where the user of that vehicle has a role in the care of the Blue Badge holder.

We are reviewing this initial approach to exemptions and developing further eligibility criteria.

Enfield Blue Badge holders residing within the FOX Permit Zone are eligible to apply for a virtual FOX Permit. A map of the Permit Zone can be viewed in the Document Library on this page.

FOX permit holders can nominate one vehicle to pass through camera enforced modal filters within the Fox Lane Area Quieter Neighbourhood without receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.

The permit could either apply to the Blue Badge holder’s own vehicle or another nominated vehicle where the user of that vehicle has a role in the care of the Blue Badge holder within the Quieter Neighbourhood area.

Yes. As a Blue Badge is personal, the holder must nominate the vehicle to which the exemption applies.

Exemptions apply only to the Quieter Neighbourhood in which the permit holder lives. The FOX virtual permit applies to camera enforced filters within Enfield’s Fox Lane Area Quieter Neighbourhood. There are six camera enforced filters in place within Fox Lane Area Quieter Neighbourhood.   These are located on Conway Road, The Mall and Selborne Road at their junctions with Fox Lane, on Fox Lane at the bridge over the railway, on Meadway south of Bourne Avenue and on Oakfield Road at its junction with The Mall.  

Motor vehicles are not able to pass through the filter unless exempt. Signage is in place that states which permit holders are exempt, and therefore can pass through the camera-enforced filter. 

The signs read “Except permit holders FOX”.

You can view the FOX Permit Zone map in the Document Library on this page. If you are a Blue Badge holder and the address registered to your Blue Badge is within the FOX Permit Zone, you are eligible to apply for a “FOX permit”.

To apply for a permit, please visit: https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/parking/parking-permits-rb/

 You will need to upload evidence of your Blue Badge when you apply. You also need to know the vehicle registration (number plate) of the vehicle to which you would like the exemption to apply.

1. Click “Apply for or renew a parking permit”
2. Create a new account if you don’t already have one. If you already have an account for parking permits, you can use your existing login information.
3. Click “Permit application” 
4. Select “Blue Badge Exemption Permits”
5. Follow the remaining steps on screen and upload your supporting documentation.

You will receive an acknowledgement to confirm if your application has been approved.

Help is provided for those who require assistance with their application. Please see here for more information.

You can apply for a permit online. If you prefer, you can also access our services and apply for a permit at our parking shop. 

You can visit the parking shop 24 hours a day, any day, including bank holidays at:

NSL Limited
Unit 1
Crown Road
Enfield
 EN1 1TH

For more information, contact the parking shop on 020 3856 0036 (24 hours a day).

There will be no charge for these permits. 

Yes. If you are a Blue Badge holder you can nominate a vehicle.

You could, for example, nominate a vehicle where a user of that vehicle has a role in your care.

The virtual permit will expire at the same time as your Blue Badge expires. If you renew your Blue Badge, you will need to provide evidence of the renewed Blue Badge to the Council so the permit can be renewed. You can do this in the same way that you apply for the FOX virtual permit initially.

If you wish to renew your permit, please apply at least 21 days before the current permit expires.

No, the FOX permit is virtual and permit holders do not need to display anything within their nominated vehicle.

Yes. You can manage the vehicle registered to your FOX virtual permit via the following link: https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/parking/parking-permits-rb/

The FOX virtual Permit Holder is responsible to make sure the nominated vehicle’s details are up to date. You will receive a notification when the change in vehicle has been processed. This won’t be instantaneous so please allow time for this. It will usually take up to 24 hours for a change in vehicle to be processed.