There was overwhelming opposition at a public meeting to discuss proposed traffic restrictions .

An open meeting was held on Tuesday to discuss the Dartmouth Park Healthy Neighbourhood, with attendees both in person and online, with councillors in attendance.

In proposals put forward by Camden and Islington Councils, some streets in the area would be closed to through traffic, while some would become one-way.

Concerns were raised that the proposed traffic changes would worsen pollution, due to rerouted traffic and unnecessary congestion.

William Britain from the Highgate Society claimed many never received information about a consultation.

He added there's no information about how the plans will lead to improvements and gaps in the data provided - such as no traffic projections on some of the impact it will have on certain roads.

He says that it could cause "massive disruption" and it could be a "waste of public funds".

Susan Rose of the Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee accepted the scheme might benefit Dartmouth Park, but there is no clear data about those benefits.

She said: "We have this bitter experience of traffic jams caused by continuous road works."

One speaker from Highgate Hill said: "We are already a pollution black spot (A1, Archway) and this will make it worse for us.

"This plan just moves pollution around."

Bryan Elsley, of the residents group for Lady Margaret Road, Evangelist Road, Bughley Road, Oakford Road and College Lane, said he represents close to 70 households and says they are unanimous in their concerns - it is going to create more congestion and more pollution

Nick Bradfield, of the Dartmouth Park Road Residents Association, said: "I don't buy any of the idea of this improving the environment, it's just exhaust fumes going somewhere else."

He said Dartmouth Park is one of the best places to live in London, or even the world.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it," he added.

Andrew Haslam-Jones of the Heath & Hampstead Society warned it could have a knock-on effect to Hampstead.

He said Highgate Cemetery could be affected by the rerouted plans - lenghtening journeys and increasing traffic.

"Local knowledge might have helped in putting this plan together," he added.

Fr Damien Mason from the Parish Church of St Mary Brookfield, voiced concern about losing easy access to the east side of the church.

He said: "We can't tell 85-year-olds to get on a bike and cycle to the top of a hill."

Christopher Kelly Brookfield of Mansions Residents Group said people in the area "consistently oppose" the proposal.

Not all were against the plans.

Graeme Blyth of Brookfield Primary School parents group, said the majority of people do not own or even have access to a car and 80% of primary children walk to school.

He said "something needs to be done" and the only way is to slow down traffic in the neighbourhood.

One supporter underscored that mainly children will benefit from the changes and noted the lack of children at the meeting.

Defending the scheme, Labour councillor Anna Wright said Camden has high rates of asthma, due to pollution, and the trial will allow Camden to gather concrete evidence in real-time.

She added: "Camden is a borough of unacceptable health inequalities. So we have to act. We have to start somewhere."

As Camden Cllr Anna Wright put it: "Camden is a borough of unacceptable health inequalities.

"So we have to act."