Tory leader Councillor Steve Adams

OPPOSITION Conservative councillors want a rule that says if two thirds of people responding to a consultation are against a council policy – the idea gets scratched.

The call for new rules came amid a warning that Camden would end up in court if it ignored the results of the survey exercises.

Group leader Councillor Steve Adams referred to traffic schemes in Hampstead where an 18-month trial scheme to close parts of Kidderpore Avenue and Ferncroft Avenue to cars at school run time.

The majority who responded to Camden’s feedback were critical of the suggestion but the pilot will still go ahead. Lambeth Council was recently taken to court by a group called the West Dulwich Action Group over a low traffic neighbourhood scheme.

The court found in favour of the residents, who said they had not been properly consulted.

Cllr Adams said: “They can’t be surprised by the backlash from residents. Pockets are deep in Frognal and the recent High Court decision over the issue in Dulwich could inspire a judicial review here.”

The Tories have already used the “call-in” process to try and make Camden look at the project again, claiming the plans do not take on board residents’ concerns.

Cllr Adams said traffic issues in the area were caused by slow down changes to Finchley Road, which had the unintended consequence of creating rat runs in residential streets.

He said: “The problem here is commuter traffic, not schools. Finchley Road was strangled into one lane and with a new speed limit, so people turn off it and drive up into Frognal and Hampstead village to try and escape the traffic jams.

“Trying  to solve the problem by stopping people going to the schools in the morning and afternoon pushes the issue elsewhere.”

He suggested the council instead make the two streets one-way to stop it being used as a possible short cut.

Cllr Adams accused the council of “unscientific idealism” when it came to managing traffic flow.

A council report said: “While the overall response to the consultation did not support the proposed measures, officers have carefully considered their content and people’s views while also ensuring that we align with the council’s policies to create Healthy Streets.

“Despite the overall response not supporting the proposals, officers noted that some respondents also voiced their concerns about road safety and volumes of traffic in the area.”

They added there were sharp peaks in traffic levels at school drop-off and pick-up times.

Cllr Adams and the Tory group are now due to bring a motion to the next all-member meeting calling for a “democracy backstop”.

This, he said, would include a rule which would mean a consultation process could not be ignored if two thirds were against.