London’s second largest eruv has been approved by Harrow Council, to the delight of members of Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue who had campaigned for its creation.

Brian Wolkind, chairman of Stanmore’s eruv committee, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be given the go-ahead for an eruv to enhance the Shabbat for the many Orthodox Jews in the area. Elderly and disabled people and those with young children will particularly benefit.”

The eruv is a symbolic boundary marked mainly by existing roads and walls which allows some Shabbat restrictions to be relaxed, such as pushing buggies and carrying bags.

The eruv committee now has to fund the project, which will involve the erection of 36 2.2-metre poles. The eruv should be ready in six months and will be adjacent to one in Edgware, thus benefiting observant Jews from the wider area.

Councillor Marilyn Ashton, Harrow’s portfolio holder for planning, development and enterprise, said: “The council recognises the benefits the boundary would have to those who abide by strict religious rules and believes this would create a stronger community.”