A traffic restriction scheme designed to protect children on their way to school has generated more than £1 million in penalty charges in under two years, reigniting a debate over whether such measures are about safety or revenue.

Brent Council in north-west London introduced the School Street scheme outside Manor School in Kensal Rise in November 2024, closing the road to vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times. Since then, the local authority has issued penalty charge notices (PCNs) worth £1.15 million, according to figures reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Steady stream of fines

Over the 21 months the scheme has operated, the council has collected an average of £54,799 each month, even though enforcement only runs during school term time. In July 2025 alone, the two cameras monitoring the Manor School zone brought in more than £107,000.

The figures follow earlier reporting that 70,000 PCNs were issued across the borough in a single 12-month period, a rate of roughly 384 every school day. Drivers caught breaching the restrictions face a £160 fine, reduced to £80 if paid within a fortnight.

School Streets are being trialled across Brent, with CCTV cameras and mobile enforcement teams policing the closures at the start and end of the school day.

Councillor questions signage

Barbara Want, a ward councillor, has been a persistent critic of the Manor School scheme. She argued that the warning signs were placed too high and were not clearly visible to drivers, and said the sheer volume of fines should have prompted the council to reconsider its approach.

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

Want warned that the scheme is failing in its core mission if motorists continue to use the road, adding: "I fear the scheme is more about revenue generation than improving road safety or air quality."

Council defends scheme

Brent Council maintains that the signage in place meets Department for Transport guidelines. Nevertheless, it has decided to add lower-level signs and gateway features to make the restrictions clearer to drivers.

Promise Knight, the council's cabinet member for cleaner streets, transport and public realm, said School Streets were introduced "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," she said. "We will continue to review the scheme and make practical improvements where they can help drivers comply."

The dispute highlights a wider tension in the capital, where a growing number of boroughs are adopting School Streets in a bid to cut traffic and pollution around school gates. Supporters say the zones encourage walking and cycling, while critics question whether the penalties fall too heavily on drivers who may not fully understand the rules.

For now, Brent has signalled it will keep the Manor School restrictions in place while refining the signage, as the debate over safety, compliance and cost continues.