Brent School Street fines at one location exceed £1m

In less than two years, Brent Council in north-west London has issued penalty charge notices (PCNs) worth over £1 million in connection with a School Street scheme outside Manor School in Kensal Rise. The initiative, launched in November 2024, aims to enhance road safety and environmental conditions near the school by limiting traffic during drop-off and pick-up times.

Councillor Barbara Want expressed concerns regarding the effectiveness of the scheme, highlighting that the signs warning drivers were “too high and not properly visible.” Although Brent Council maintains that the signage complies with Department for Transport guidelines, it has nevertheless agreed to install additional lower-level signs and gateway features to improve clarity for motorists.

The School Street scheme operates during term time only and is enforced through a combination of CCTV cameras and mobile enforcement teams. Since its implementation, the council has collected an average of £54,799 per month from fines. In July 2025 alone, enforcement cameras outside Manor School generated more than £107,000 in penalty charges. This figure aligns with previous reports that about 70,000 PCNs were issued across the borough within a 12-month period, averaging 384 fines daily on school days.

While Councillor Want criticizes the scheme for potentially prioritizing revenue over safety, saying, “It is failing children’s safety if drivers are still using the road,” the council’s cabinet member for cleaner streets, transport, and public realm, Promise Knight, defends its purpose. Knight states that School Streets are designed “to make the journey to and from school safer for children and families” by reducing congestion and improving air quality. The council has also affirmed its commitment to reviewing the scheme continuously and implementing practical adjustments to assist drivers in complying with the rules