Brent Council is adding warning signs at a single School Street in Kensal Rise that has generated £1.15 million in fines, acknowledging that too many motorists are still entering the restricted road despite existing signs meeting national requirements.

The restrictions outside Manor School began in November 2024. Enforced by CCTV, they close the road during school drop-off and pick-up times, with penalties of up to £160. School Streets are being trialled across the borough to improve road safety and air quality.

Council figures put the scheme’s average monthly income at almost £55,000. Tens of thousands of penalties have been issued, prompting Liberal Democrat councillor Barbara Want to question whether drivers can readily see the signs.

Want says the signs are mounted too high and argues that the number of penalties suggests many motorists enter without realising the restrictions apply.

“The fact that it has raked in more than £1m should have told them something wasn’t right,” she said.

Although the money raised has since fallen, Want remains concerned that revenue is taking precedence over safety and air quality. She welcomed Labour’s agreement to trial gateway features, but said the changes would offer little consolation to drivers already fined and should not have required her continued pressure.

Councillor Promise Knight, cabinet member for cleaner streets, transport and public realm, said the scheme had a particular importance at Manor School, which supports children with complex special educational needs, including pupils who may have limited awareness of road danger.

Knight said existing signs met Department for Transport requirements and were supplemented by advance warnings. Nevertheless, compliance remained too low, so the council was installing further lower-level signs and trialling gateway features to make the restriction clearer.

“The purpose of the scheme is to protect children by reducing congestion and improving air quality,” she said, pledging continued review and practical improvements.

The distinction is between signs meeting national requirements and motorists recognising the restriction in time to comply. The council’s changes address the latter; the volume of fines alone does not establish a revenue-raising motive or demonstrate the scheme’s effect on safety and air quality.