Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum
About us
Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum is group of local people working together to make Harlesden a better place in which to work and live.
The initial purpose of the Forum was to create a Neighbourhood Plan for Harlesden. This is a document that clearly states what we, as a community, want to see happen in Harlesden in terms of planning and development. For example, do we want more affordable housing in the area? Do we need to improve the mix of businesses on the high street? Do we want to protect our green spaces from development?
Our Neighbourhood Plan was ratified by referendum and adopted by Brent Council in June 2019. You can find out more about it here.
Our aim
Harlesden is also a very deprived ward - one of the most deprived in London. In our community, a lot of children grow up in poverty and they also breathe a very toxic air. They suffer a double jeopardy.
Very frustratingly, our council is taking very little action to reduce pollution in Harlesden, despite of the alarming statistics regarding NO2 levels. Our area is dominated by cars and HGVs - and next to nothing is done to encourage people to walk and cycle. There isn't any cycle lane. As for pavements, they are narrow and cluttered. So pedestrians have no choice but walking very close to traffic and breathing all the toxic fumes from the many vehicles driving across Harlesden.
Also, Harlesden was supposed to benefit from one of TFL Healthy Street redesign but the project has been put on hold.
So, it's down to local residents and activists to raise the alarm about air pollution in our local community and maintain pressure on our elected representatives to come up with solutions to clean the air in Harlesden.
Latest from our Community Forum
Join in the discussion at community.breathelondon.org