A petition has been launched calling for the suspension of Waymo's driverless taxi trial in a London borough, citing safety concerns and lack of stakeholder support. The Brent Green Party claims the autonomous vehicles 'do not meet the minimum safety standards' after one car drove into a police cordon in Harlesden last month.
Incident Raises Safety Fears
On April 22, a Waymo vehicle veered into an active crime scene on Harlesden High Street, where police were investigating a double stabbing. Waymo stated the car was in manual mode with a validation driver in full control, who has since been suspended pending investigation. The Green Party argues that if a regular driver had committed a similar act, they 'would likely be under investigation and could face criminal prosecution.'
Petition Calls for Suspension
Brent Green Party has started a petition urging Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan to pause the trial. Green Party candidate Amandine Alexandre said: 'The viral footage of the vehicle crossing the police line in Harlesden is deeply concerning. It is clear that these vehicles do not meet the minimum safety standards.' Kilburn's new Green councillor Suzanne Gallagher added: 'We see the Waymo rollout as a data collection exercise which will have foreseen and unforeseen consequences for our community.'
Waymo's Response
Waymo told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that scepticism 'is natural' but claims it 'quickly fades' once people get accustomed to the vehicles. A spokesperson added: 'The UK's Automated Vehicles Act 2024 establishes that when a vehicle is operating fully autonomously, liability rests with the manufacturer or software developer. We are engaging with community organisations, borough leaders, and city officials on an ongoing basis.' The company also said it limits empty miles by matching supply and demand, bringing vehicles back to the depot or parking them in appropriate locations.
Brent Council's Position
Cllr Muhammed Butt, former Leader of Brent Council, said it would be 'irresponsible' not to engage with a global business investing in Park Royal, but added: 'Engagement is not a blank cheque: it is how we raise residents' concerns and ensure Brent's voice is heard. Ultimately, the decision on autonomous vehicles sits with the national government and Transport for London.'
Mayor's Stance
A spokesperson for Mayor Sadiq Khan said he is 'determined to harness the opportunities' of automated vehicles but recognises the potential negative impact on jobs and the economy. The spokesperson stated: 'AV technologies must be tested and regulated appropriately to ensure their growth doesn't come at the expense of congestion and safety on our roads.'
Government View
The Department for Transport believes self-driving vehicles 'could unlock billions' for the UK economy by 2035, supporting growth sector jobs and expanding travel options for disabled and older people. A DfT spokesperson said: 'Keeping people safe on our roads is always our priority. Self-driving vehicles will not be allowed to operate unless they have met robust safety requirements and received the backing of the relevant local authority.'
