Brent Council Collected Over £1M in Fines at Manor School Street Scheme

A London council has collected more than £1m in penalty charge notices under a single School Street scheme, bbc.com reported.

Following the launch of the initiative outside Manor School in Kensal Rise in November 2024, Brent Council handed out £1.15m in total fines, stating the measure would boost the environment and road safety.

Operating exclusively during term time, the north-west London authority has brought in an average of £54,799 every month throughout the 21 months the project has been active.

To restrict traffic during arrival and departure times, trials of School Streets are underway across the borough, monitored by mobile enforcement units and CCTV cameras. Those caught face a PCN of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.

Earlier figures showed that 70,000 penalties were distributed over a 12-month span, equating to 384 per school day. According to information provided by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the pair of cameras monitoring the Manor School scheme generated upwards of £107,000 during July 2025 alone.

Ward councillor Barbara Want raised concerns about the scheme and claimed that the signs were too high and not properly visible.

For months I have been highlighting the huge volume of PCNs issued to drivers on the Manor School Street. The fact that it has raked in more than £1m in two years should have told them something wasn’t right.

It is failing children’s safety if drivers are still using the road. I fear the scheme is more about revenue generation than improving road safety or air quality.

Ward councillor Barbara Want

While maintaining that its existing signage adhered to Department for Transport regulations, Brent Council announced it would add lower-level signs and gateway structures to provide motorists with clearer direction.

Promise Knight, who serves as the local authority’s cabinet member for cleaner streets, transport and public realm, explained that the borough implemented School Streets to make the journey to and from school safer for children and families.

The purpose of the scheme is to protect children by reducing congestion and improving air quality.

We will continue to review the scheme and make practical improvements where they can help drivers comply.

Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Transport and Public Realm