Brent Council collects £1.15m in fines from Manor School Street scheme
Brent Council has issued more than £1m worth of penalty charge notices to drivers under a School Street scheme in less than two years, bbc.com reported. The local authority accumulated £1.15m in penalties after launching the road restriction outside Manor School in Kensal Rise in November 2024. Officials stated the initiative aimed to improve road safety and local air quality by restricting vehicle access during school drop-off and pick-up hours.
During the 21 months the cameras have operated, the north-west London council collected an average of £54,799 per month. Enforcement operates exclusively during term time using CCTV cameras and mobile enforcement teams. Motorists caught driving through the restricted zones face a penalty charge notice of £160, which drops to £80 if paid within 14 days.
Clashing views on road safety and revenue generation
Ward councillor Barbara Want raised objections to the high volume of fines, claiming that the existing signage was “too high and not properly visible”. Councillor Want stated that the financial figures demonstrated a systemic failure rather than an effective deterrent, arguing that the scheme functioned more as a revenue generator than a safety measure.
Councillor Promise Knight, cabinet member for cleaner streets, transport and public realm, defended the initiative. Councillor Knight stated that School Streets exist to protect children and families by reducing congestion, adding that the council would continue to review the layout and implement practical improvements to assist driver compliance.
Physical changes planned for Kensal Rise enforcement cameras
Brent Council maintained that its current signage complied with Department for Transport guidelines. However, officials acknowledged that motorist compliance remained low around the Kensal Rise site. In response, the council decided to install additional lower-level warning signs and gateway features to give drivers clearer guidance.
Data from the Local Democracy Reporting Service showed that two cameras enforcing the Manor School restrictions—located at the junctions of Hanover Road and Okehampton Road, and Chamberlayne Road and Okehampton Road—generated over £107,000 during July 2025 alone. Prior reports indicated that Brent Council issued 70,000 penalty notices across its borough-wide school schemes in a 12-month period, averaging 384 per school day.
Frequently asked questions about the Manor School restrictions
Where exactly are the Manor School cameras located?
Enforcement cameras operate at the junctions of Hanover Road and Okehampton Road, and Chamberlayne Road and Okehampton Road in Kensal Rise.
How much are the fines for entering the restricted zone?
Drivers caught by CCTV or mobile enforcement teams face a penalty charge notice of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.
What changes is Brent Council making to the signage?
The council is installing extra lower-level signs and new gateway features to improve visibility for motorists following concerns that existing signs were too high.
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