Over the last week, posters have appeared on Highgate roads saying: STOP, LOOK, LISTEN, and pointing residents and local groups to our website DPHNjointaction.com.

DPHN is the Dartmouth Park Healthy Neighbourhood, which is misleading because it covers many parts of Highgate, Kentish Town, and Archway.

This is a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN), extending from Highgate to Kentish Town and from Gospel Oak to Archway. Vehicles will generally not be able to pass through the area. It will impact service vehicles, residents, businesses and schools, especially on boundary and access roads.

LTNs are often contentious, but what has incensed residents and groups is the timing of this 'co-design' phase.

Details of the scheme were published by Camden and Islington Councils on July 8 and shockingly the deadline for comments is August 18, just six weeks during school holidays.

There is no data on the types of vehicles, routes they take, times of day, congestion points or any traffic projections.

Without this information, it is impossible to know whether the obstructions and detours involved with an LTN will mean journeys are avoided, other modes of travel adopted, or traffic is diverted onto already congested boundary roads.

William Britain says more information is needed on the DPHN William Britain says more information the consultation for the DPHN lacks information (Image: The Highgate Society)

This consultation is described as a “co-design” phase, but the timing and poor quality of the proposal suggest this is in name only, with a disregard for local opinion.

What will be the cycle and walking routes? Where are existing accident and speeding hot spots? For a plan that concerns health, there is no mention of pollution or any pollution data.

Co-design would involve taking time to explain the scheme, its purposes and benefits, and for residents to understand it and consider ways it could be improved. The councils held three public meetings (now finished) but two of these only lasted 30 minutes and full capacity was quickly reached.

This is not the way to build consensus. It damages trust and any feeling that councils have our interests at heart.

Residents and local groups instead campaign and protest, and many of us have come together to take joint action.

We will not agree on everything, but we are united in our demand for a meaningful extension of the deadline. During that extended period, the councils must meet with local groups, explain the scheme and listen to feedback.

Our petition is on change.org (/DPHN-petition), and our campaign website is: DPHNjointaction.com

  • William Britain is chair of the Traffic, Transport and Travel group at The Highgate Society.