EALING Council's leadership has come under fire for meeting with pro-LTN group, Better Ealing Streets, outside Fielding Primary School.

Leader of Ealing Council, Peter Mason, along with Deputy Leader and cabinet member for climate action, Deirdre Costigan, were seen chatting to members of Better Ealing Streets yesterday morning (July 6) during the school run, outside the school's gates in Northfields.

A spokesperson for anti-LTN group, One Ealing, told Ealing Nub News: "One Ealing was surprised to learn that council leaders were holding a meeting on site, in the historic LTN21 to discuss the matter when we have been categorically told that LTN21 no longer exists and will not have a consultation.

"One Ealing respects the wishes of Mr Dunmall, the Head of Fielding, which is to not canvass or hold meetings outside school gates."

Mr Dunmall sent an email to parents on Friday, July 2, asking them to 'respect the neutral position of the school and direct campaign efforts elsewhere.'

He said: "The implementation and then removal of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN21) around the school remains contentious and divisive.

"There are many different views.

"The school remains neutral and passive about the control and management of streets around the school site.

"Our role is to educate pupils, helping them to learn to stay safe while using any road.

"The Council is best placed to decide and implement any measures, including a School Streets approach, to manage and control use of streets around the school site.

"Campaigners for and against control measures have different views.

"Whatever views, all are asked to: respect the privacy of families around the school site by avoiding taking any images or video without agreement and respect the neutral position of the school and direct campaign efforts elsewhere."

This is the second email Mr Dunmall has had to send out regarding LTNs, the first being in May when LTN21 was removed.

A spokesperson for Better Ealing Streets told Ealing Nub News: "Better Ealing Streets helped arrange a walking meeting between the councillors and concerned residents who live in what was LTN21 – West Ealing South.

"It was to discuss their concerns regarding the traffic levels and issues with speeding and hurried driving in the area, particularly during peak hours.

"The current situation is not acceptable.

"The council's own data shows that further action is required."

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, cabinet member for climate action said: "We regularly meet with local residents who have a variety of views about Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and we will continue to listen to our residents in this way.

"Three local residents from Better Ealing Streets asked us to meet with them on the corner of Cranmer and Northcroft on Tuesday morning to talk about traffic and the LTNs.

"We had a 20 minute conversation outside St Paul's Church in the rain before walking up Northcroft.

"We stopped outside Fielding to look at the operation of the yellow zig zags and then continued round to Haslemere to look at the traffic there.

"We are always happy to meet residents about the LTNs, whatever their views, as it is our job to listen.

"We want to give residents a final say and no decision will be taken until the current consultation is complete."