Protests against low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) schemes in Haringey forced a meeting to be called off on Monday (November 21).

Two petitions against the council's schemes were up for debate, and speakers for and against the schemes had been due to attend, but the meeting was cancelled at the last minute.

Three LTNs have been introduced on a trial basis this year in Bounds Green, St Ann’s, and Bruce Grove and West Green. Designed to reduce "rat-running" and boost air quality, the schemes use physical and camera-enforced "filters" to stop non-residential traffic from cutting through side streets.

Opponents of the schemes claim they increase congestion, journey times and pollution – particularly along boundary roads on the edges of the schemes.

Ham & High: Protestors marched through Wood Green against Haringey's LTN plans Protestors marched through Wood Green against Haringey's LTN plans (Image: Alexander Charalambous)

Protesters carrying placards and demanding an end to LTNs walked through Wood Green to the meeting venue – The Decorium in Western Road – to make their voices heard.

The Metropolitan Police had a roadblock in place in Western Road and a number of officers were present.

Haringey Council subsequently posted on Twitter that it was unable to take place “due to disruption by a small group of protesters”. Although some supported this view, others denied there was disruption and suggested the meeting could have gone ahead as planned.

On Tuesday council leader Peray Ahmet expressed disappointment that the meeting on Monday was called off, adding: “Unfortunately, a small, very loud group of protesters stormed their way through the front door, broke down a barrier, breaking a lock and chain and broke into the room before the meeting had even started, without going through the required bag and security searches.

“It was not an easy decision to cancel the meeting, but we had to protect the safety of our councillors, council officers and other members of the public."

Attendee Alexander Charalambous said: “Everyone was sitting down. When some councillors came out, they got clapped. We sat there about an hour and 15 minutes.”

He said if the council's statement were true, people causing the disturbance could have been removed.

Luke Cawley-Harrison, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group, said: “It is very disappointing that yesterday’s meeting could not go ahead, but safety for all in the room, including councillors, officers, security staff and the police, must come first."

Almost 7,000 people signed the petition against the West Green and Bruce Grove LTN. A separate petition against the Bounds Green LTN trial gained more than 2,800 signatures.

Residents can provide feedback on the LTNs at https://www.haringey.gov.uk/ltn-feedback