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ANOTHER school year has begun and, with that, the school runs.

I waited with my two young children for the 214 bus up to Highgate on Thursday morning. With an average of 11,000 vehicles per day ( Camden Council’s data), our street, Highgate West Hill, is polluted year-round, but it gets worse during term-time rush hours. Waiting for the bus or walking along our street is dangerous because of the pollution and traffic.

As the traffic went by, I noticed most cars travelling in both directions – seemed to have one adult and one or two children inside. After about 10 minutes, our bus arrived. Thankfully we could get on. During term time it is regularly full and we can’t. I suspect this puts people off taking the bus if they have other, easier options.

I walked along Highgate high street, and later cycled my eldest to school before continuing my own journey by bike. It was clear how the increase in traffic in the wider area is linked to term time. And I can see why.’

It is so frustrating that for all its talk about addressing pollution, I have seen very little, if any, action by the council to work with Transport for London and schools to make our public transport more reliable, easier, faster and affordable for all.

I object to the Dartmouth Park Healthy Neighbourhood (DPHN) proposals. The volume, type and speed of traffic on Highgate West Hill is unsustainable and unacceptable. It is one of the busiest residential roads on the DPHN map, but despite years of complaints Camden has failed to offer any improvements to it. Instead, I have grave concerns that the proposals will push more traffic and pollution onto boundary roads because, unlike in areas where traffic has been successfully managed, there are: (a) no alternative routes (Highgate West Hill would be the only through way between Hampstead Heath and a large low traffic neighbourhood; as an old street, that in the year to August 2024 had 47 roadworks, I don’t think risking an increase in traffic is good for anyone); (b) we are on a steep hill, making walking and cycling difficult or impossible, even for those who live locally; and (c) there are multiple schools at both the top and bottom of the area.

I very much support the objectives of reducing pollution and improving air quality. All children – including those living on boundary roads- have a right to clean air: It is not an easy task, but make public transport both to and within the area – the easier and faster option so that people do not want to drive.

This will by no means resolve everything, but better public transport does need to be part of the solution.

CHARLOTTE ALDERSON
First published in Camden New Journal 12th September 2024