We know Brent is among the worst places in London for road safety. We know that there are simple fixes which can make local areas better for everyone. But what response is there?

Concerted efforts by campaigners for cleaner air, better transport, and a response to the climate crisis are getting through in Brent. Over the last month there have been a stream of stories showing how Brent’s residents want change.

Our Coordinator Sylvia Gauthereau told reporters how School Streets are a good start to making Brent a safer place to walk and cycle. However, Sylvia highlighted that “There are places in Brent where it is actually scary to walk or cycle – places that have been built around motor vehicles with little thought afforded to everyone else.”

The local paper reports that the campaigns go wider than cycling. Brent Extinction Rebellion, a 200 member strong group in the borough, have taken part in peaceful protest in central London. And how the XR voice aligns with that of Clean Air for Brent, a long running campaign to reduce pollution. One Brent resident even took their calls to clean our air to the World’s highest point, David O’Brien wants to see low emmission’s zones rolled out across the borough.

If you want to get involved with Clean Air for Brent they will be holding an AGM on Tuesday 12th November at 7.30pm at Queen’s Park Community School, in Aylestone Avenue. The message is obviously getting through to local politicians, Barry Gardiner* says “Brent’s air quality is toxic, often far exceeding legal limits of NOx and particulate matter pollution, most of which is due to road traffic”, highlighting the need for both local and national responses. Navin Shah, Brent and Harrow’s Assembly Member, has urged parents and pupils to reduce motor pollution by walking to school.

*Barry Gardiner was MP for Brent North until the dissolution of Parliament, and is shadow minister for international climate change at the time of writing.