We asked, you said, we did

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We asked

Between September and November 2024, we invited residents, stakeholders, and community groups to help shape a new Transport Strategy. We gathered views through a survey that received over 500 responses from all parts of the borough, community workshops and targeted engagement with transport experts and representatives.

You said

Your feedback highlighted key priorities and concerns:

Safety and Accessibility:

Safety was identified as a key priority in setting priorities for use of the kerbside. There was strong support for 20mph zones in places with more vulnerable road users – 88% agreed that schools should be 20mph zones, 70% around hospitals, 68% residential areas, and 61% care homes.

Walking and Wheeling (the equivalent to walking using wheelchairs and other mobility aids):

While 60% of respondents said they feel safe walking or wheeling around the borough, 28% reported that they do not. Particular issues face people with restricted mobility.

Cycling:

Only 10% agreed they felt safe cycling around the borough. When asked what would make people feel safer cycling, 42% said more cycle lanes, 33% said fewer cars on the road, and 17% said an increase in secure resident cycle parking facilities around the borough would encourage them to cycle more.

Public Transport:

Engagement showed that people felt public transport services should be more frequent, varied and better connected – especially East-West across the Borough.

Electric Vehicles (EVs):

42% of respondents said they would be more likely to use EVs if they were more affordable. 30% highlighted improved technology, such as longer battery life and faster charging, as a motivating factor to use EVs.

Sustainability:

70% of respondents expressed support for the Transport Strategy’s goal of contributing to Barnet’s Net Zero targets.

We did

Your feedback directly shaped the final Transport Strategy, based around a vision statement reflecting what you told us during the engagement:

“We want a Barnet where by 2042 transport works for everyone, and where sustainable options have a positive impact on our residents, businesses, and environment.”

We have taken what you told us to set four key themes to explain what we will do to deliver on what you have told us are your priorities:

• safe, accessible and healthy transport for everyone
• sustainable transport options for all through an integrated transport network
• thriving people, neighbourhoods and communities in all parts of the borough
• innovation in how transport is delivered in Barnet.

Click here to read the feedback in more detail and the actions we will be taking.

On 22 July 2025 the Cabinet approved the publication of the Transport Strategy, the Action Plan, and the Executive Summary. The link to the papers can be found here: Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday 22nd July, 2025, 7.00 pm.

You can find the Transport Strategy 2025-2042 here: Appendix B - Transport Strategy.pdf.

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We asked

Barnet Councillors asked the local community to put forward suggestions for topics that could be considered at Scrutiny Committees and by task and finish groups over the year ahead.

You said

We received a total of 48 responses from the online survey and 50 from other sources making a total of 98.

There were a wide range of topics suggested including youth services, mental health and wellbeing of young people, street cleaning, environmental crime, waste services, housing, road maintenance and improving local health services.

We did

The topics were collated by the Scrutiny Team who undertook further research to determine if each issue was suitable for a report to a committee, a task and finish group review or another course of action. It was also important to determine if outcomes and improvements to services were likely to be achieved by scrutinising the issue.

A long list of all the topics was considered by Scrutiny Councillors at a special session on work programming. This resulted in a short list of topics for final decision.

The Committee/Sub-Committee work programmes and task and finish group topics were agreed at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 June 2025. Details of the shortlisting process and agreed topics can be reviewed here: Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 12th June, 2025, 7.00 pm At the meeting, local Councillors expressed their thanks to all residents and community groups who had responded to their request for topics.

The work programmes 2025-26 for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Adults and Health and Children and Education Sub-Committees can be viewed here: Browse Committee Work Programmes (moderngov.co.uk)

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We asked

We asked for your views on a new community space that we are developing at Brent Cross Town, as well as the type of services and activities that you’d like us to provide there. We also asked for your views on the types of events and activities you would like to see included in Brent Cross Town’s community events programme for 2025 and beyond. Our aim was to hear from as many local people as possible so that we could develop spaces, events and activities that everyone can be a part of.

You said

Between October and December 2024, we encouraged residents to complete our community space and events surveys through a newsletter drop in the local area, on our website and monthly e-newsletters. We received a total of 185 responses, including 79 online responses and 106 paper responses conducted during events, and in-person engagement at Claremont Way retailers and Claremont Park.

48% of respondents said they would like the community space to be a flexible multi-purpose space. Analysis of the feedback data showed a strong preference for:

• Arts & craft workshops
• Movie screenings
• Services such as mental health support
• Mobile library provision
• Bookable space (e.g. for birthday parties).

The most popular events mentioned that residents would like to see as part of Brent Cross Town’s programme are:

• Sports events
• Children events
• Cultural events

We did

Based on our findings from the community survey and engagement, our vision is to create a space that is welcoming to all ages and backgrounds, multifunctional and with an operational model which seeks to maximise its positive impact on community well-being. Barnet Council is now looking for an experienced operator from the voluntary sector, a community interest company or any other relevant interested organisation to run the space, and the selection process is due to start in August with the intention of appointing an operator by the end of the year.

There will be open days on Thursday 7 and Friday 8 August from 9.30am to 11.30am at Brent Cross Town’s Visitor Pavilion where you will have the opportunity to visit the community space, explore how it is is developing and discover the part you could play in bringing this new place to life. If you are interested in attending the open days or would like more details, please email transformingbx@barnet.gov.uk(External link)

More information about the space can also be found on our website at transformingbx.co.uk/communityspace(External link)

You can also discover events happening at Brent Cross Town at brentcrosstown.co.uk/news

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We asked

We asked for your help to shape the way we manage paths in Barnet.

We are developing a comprehensive Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan and we wanted to understand how well our local rights of way meet the current and future needs of the community.

You said

We received 431 responses to our online questionnaire, 75.5% of which currently use Barnet’s public rights of way, with a further 12.4% having used them in the past. The main reasons cited for not using the paths was a lack

Alongside the online questionnaire, we also conducted engagement with Barnet’s Citizens Panel.

Results from both the online questionnaire and Citizens Panel mirrored each other on key points such as:

• How often public rights of way are used and why
• What information is most important to those that use them
• What we can do to encourage more usage
• Where residents would like to find more information
• Specific improvements we can make to public rights of way

We would like to thank all those who have helped us to shape the way we manage paths in Barnet.

We did

All feedback received from both the online questionnaire and Citizens Panel will help us finalise our final Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan. Once finalised, we will take the final version of the plan to cabinet. The final published version will be available to read on the Highways polices and guides webpage.

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We asked

We asked parents / caregivers and Health Care professionals working in the Borough of Barnet for feedback on the support provided currently. This will help us review the strategy for any strengths and weaknesses in our current provision, to keep on supporting infant feeding in a more robust and effective way.

You said

We received 64 responses from service users and 46 responses from Health Care professionals.

The majority of you (78%) breastfed your babies for a length of time demonstrating that the breastfeeding rate in Barnet is high despite lack of official data. 38% of parents / carers found breastfeeding support up to three weeks post baby to be good or very good but over 60% wished for support beyond three weeks. Over half of respondents felt they were supported for as long as they needed.

40% of respondents had not seen infant formula being advertised but there is still work to do around awareness of the Breastfeeding welcome scheme with only 11% aware of its existence in Barnet.

We did

We have presented preliminary findings to the infant feeding forum who will take them into account when revising the Barnet Infant feeding Strategy and action plan. This is due to a launch in early 2026. In addition work will continue around promoting Breastfeeding welcome and training for healthcare practitioners.

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We asked

We asked for your views on the parking situation in the Colindale South area and proposals to introduce parking controls

The parking engagement was conducted in response to concerns raised by local:

• residents who reported finding it difficult to find parking close to their homes.
• businesses who mentioned that their customers were finding it hard to get a parking space when they visit the shops.

Before engaging the local community, we carried out parking stress surveys and the results revealed more than three-quarters of the roads in Colindale South have high parking stress levels.

The parking pressures could have been attributed to the ongoing regeneration in the area, as well as the existing waiting and loading restrictions on the A5, and displacement from nearby roads with parking controls.

You said

We sent approximately 1,800 letters to residents and businesses inviting them to participate in our parking engagement. We received 220 responses, representing an overall response rate of 12%.

Overall, when asked if they would be in favour of a CPZ being introduced in their road:

• 30% supported measures
• 63% opposed
• 5% were unsure.

When feedback of support and opposition was further analysed, a clear split in the engagement area materialised, with those roads east of the Silk Stream (Colin Crescent, Colin Drive, Colin Gardens and Crossway – between Silk Stream and Colin Crescent) opposing measures, and those west (remaining 23 roads) in favour.

Eastern side:

• 84% were not in favour
• 11% were in favour of being included in the CPZ
• 29% of the respondents indicated they ‘always’ or ‘sometimes’ experience parking issues on their road

Western side:

• 62% were in favour of being included in the CPZ
• 29% were not in favour
• 83% of the respondents indicated they “always” or “sometimes” experience parking issues on their road

On both sides, those who stated that they “always” or “sometimes” experience parking problems on their road said that parking issues are due to commuter parking, trade/delivery vehicles, and parking from new developments and local businesses.

Alongside the feedback received directly to our online engagement, we also received a petition from Varley Parade requesting customer-friendly parking restrictions that would enable customers free parking options to promote businesses in the parade.

We also received numerous comments on our proposals. The most common concerns raised were:

• Non-resident parking by commuters
• Parking generated by the new developments in the area
• Vehicle parking for long durations and/or abandoned vehicles
• Inconsiderate or obstructive parking affecting traffic flow at road junctions, on bends and along narrow road sections

We did

We have reviewed all responses received during the parking engagement alongside the parking stress surveys.

To improve the parking situation in the area, we are now developing proposals to introduce a CPZ for the western side that will operate Monday to Friday between 8am to 6.30pm, which will be called Colindale South (CLS).

Based on feedback and their position within the engagement area, is has been agreed that Colin Crescent, Colin Drive, Colin Gardens and the eastern section of Crossway (between Silk Stream and Colin Crescent) will be excluded from the proposed CPZ.

The CPZ will be introduced as a trial for a period of up to 18-months, where the first 6-months is the statutory consultation. This enables residents and businesses to experience live parking controls and make comments on any concerns they have about the new parking arrangements.

The final design of the CPZ will be discussed and agreed with local Ward Members before progressing to implementation.

An update letter has been be sent to residents in the affected areas to provide confirmation of our proposed way forward for each location. You can read these letters here:

• Eastern section resident letter (not progressing)
• Western section resident letter (progressing)

For further details on our decision, read our Chief Officers Decision.

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We asked

We asked for your views on a proposed Borough wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) inviting you to tell us what you thought of the proposed prohibitions and your experiences of how you felt such an order would, or would not, benefit the community.

You said

We received 550 responses to the online questionnaire.

87% of respondents agreed with implementing a borough wide PSPO. 7% of respondents disagreed, 4% of respondents were neutral and 1% did not know or were unsure.

We did

Following the public consultation, the council authorised a three-year Borough Wide PSPO in December 2022 with 11 conditions.

This order is now being enforced by your local Police and Council authorised officers of the Community Safety Team.

For more information about the Barnet PSPO please use the link here: Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs).

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We asked

We asked for your views on a proposed Experimental Controlled Parking Zone (ECPZ) in the Golders Green Estate (Zone GG) which includes Quantock Gardens, Cotswold Gardens, Cleveland Gardens, Grampian Gardens, Cumbrian Gardens, Chiltern Gardens, Malvern Gardens, Cheviot Gardens, Purbeck Drive, Pennine Drive and Mendip Drive. The ECPZ proposals aim to address existing parking issues, including the impact on local businesses and services such as the GP and dental service on Pennine Drive, and prevent non-resident parking in the area.

You said

We wrote to 1075 residents and businesses inviting them to have their say on introducing a CPZ on their road, and what hours of restriction they would like to see. During our one-month consultation, 385 people visited the online consultation and we received a total of 108 responses (online, paper and telephone responses).

• Out of 108 responses, 69% (75 respondents) are in favour of introducing a CPZ on their road, whilst 31% (33 respondents) are against it.

Hours of operation

• Out of 82 responses to the question of what operation times the CPZ should have, 57% (47 respondents) said they wanted the operation times to be longer than four hours, whereas 43% (35 respondents) want the operation times to be four hours or shorter.

Days of operation

• Out of 39 responses to the question on when the CPZ should operate, 41% (16 respondents) think the CPZ should operate seven days a week (Monday to Sunday), whilst 43% (17 respondents) think it should operate from Monday to Friday, and 12% (five respondents) said it should be from Monday to Saturday. One person (4%) answered with their own proposed timings.

We did

The most common issues raised in the consultation included residents having their driveways blocked by other cars, abandoned vehicles on the road, commuter and commercial parking, and safety concerns due to narrow roads.

Based on the feedback, which members of the project team have carefully reviewed, we will be implementing an Experimental Controlled Parking Zone, which will be installed during August, and operational from early September 2025. In line with neighbouring zones recently implemented, (Zone BA: Clitterhouse Crescent, Clitterhouse Road and a section of Claremont Road), the parking controls will be operational from Monday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm. The controls are designed to address the concerns raised by residents, and the hours and days are a balance of the range of responses we received, including those who responded with ‘other’.

As part of the implementation plans, there will be ‘permit holders past this point’ entry signs at the beginning of the ECPZ area, instead of marked bays. This helps maximise as much space as possible for permit holders within an area. Disabled parking places will be provided in suitable locations, as well as pay by phone bays.

As this is an ECPZ, there will be a statutory consultation period for the first six months whilst it is operational, and you will have the opportunity to share your feedback on the controls during this period. After that, we will review the impact of the measures and use this feedback to help determine the future of the scheme.

Please note that there is no action needed from you now and we will write to you in August about how to apply for a parking permit. If you would like to see the permit costs, click here.

You can read our FAQs, as well as more information about the consultation responses and how we are managing parking in the area by visiting our website Transformingbx.co.uk/cpz

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We asked

We asked for your views on a proposed Experimental Controlled Parking Zone (ECPZ) on Claremont Road, Whitefield Avenue, Marble Drive, Prayle Grove, Amber Grove and Wallcote Avenue (Zone BB). The ECPZ proposals aim to address existing parking issues and prevent non-resident parking in the area.

You said

We wrote to 756 residents and businesses inviting them to have their say on introducing a CPZ on their road, and what hours of restriction they would like to see. During our one-month consultation, 163 people visited the online consultation and we received a total of 28 responses (online, paper and telephone responses).

• Out of 28 responses, 71% (20 respondents) are in favour of introducing a CPZ on their road, whilst 25% (seven respondents) are against it. One respondent (4%) who said no to a CPZ said they would support the proposal if neighbouring streets were included in a CPZ.

Hours of operation

• Out of 22 responses to the question of what operation times the CPZ should have, 86% (19 respondents) said they wanted the operation times to be longer than four hours, whereas 14% (three respondents) want the operation times to be shorter than four hours.

Days of operation

• Out of 22 responses to the question of when the CPZ should operate, 73% (16 respondents) said they would want the scheme to operate seven days a week (Monday to Sunday), four would prefer Monday to Saturday, and two would prefer Monday to Friday.

We did

The most common issues raised in this consultation were unauthorised parking on roads, residents having their driveways blocked by other cars, and the lack of parking controls.

Based on the feedback, which members of the project team have carefully reviewed, we will be implementing an Experimental Controlled Parking Zone, which will be installed during August, and operational from early September 2025. In line with neighbouring zones recently implemented, (Zone BA: Clitterhouse Crescent, Clitterhouse Road and a section of Claremont Road), the parking controls will be operational from Monday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm. The controls are designed to address the concerns raised by residents, and the hours and days are a balance of the range of responses we received, including those who responded with ‘other’.

As part of the implementation plans, there will be ‘permit holders past this point’ entry signs at the beginning of the ECPZ area, instead of marked bays. This helps maximise as much space as possible for permit holders within an area. Disabled parking places will be provided in suitable locations, as well as pay by phone bays.

As this is an ECPZ, there will be a statutory consultation period for the first six months whilst it is operational, and you will have the opportunity to share your feedback on the controls during this period. After that, we will review the impact of the measures and use this feedback to help determine the future of the scheme.

Please note that there is no action needed from you now and we will write to you in August about how to apply for a parking permit. If you would like to see the permit costs, click here.

You can read our FAQs, as well as more information about the consultation responses and how we are managing parking in the area by visiting our website Transformingbx.co.uk/cpz