Camden Council proposes trial pedestrianisation for a safer, healthier Camden High Street
We are proposing to trial a motor traffic-free section of Camden High Street and changes to key streets around Camden High Street. Our aim is to create safer and healthier public spaces for residents, businesses, and visitors.
A public consultation on the proposal is live and will run to 30 August 2024. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, if the trial closure is approved, it could start towards the end of 2024 or early 2025, for an initial trial period of 18 months.
As well as seeking feedback on the pedestrianisation proposal, we are asking for ideas on how these new spaces could benefit residents and visitors while also supporting the cultural offer of Camden Town. This includes gathering ideas about what activities would further strengthen Camden Town’s credentials as a cultural, food, and shopping destination.
We know that Camden Town is an internationally recognised destination and a locally important transport connection. Camden High Street’s iconic markets, music venues and range of businesses make it a vibrant place, catering to visitors and Camden residents alike.
The high street is the gateway to this. However, with over 40,000 visitors at peak times, the area also experiences significant overcrowding, with not enough space for people to enjoy their time in the area.
By trialling the removal of motor vehicles from Britannia Junction, in front of Camden Town Underground station, to Jamestown Road, we would seek to create a space that is not only safer, but also healthier, and creates opportunities to improve the reclaimed space.
We are also working closely with TfL to draw up an effective plan for buses in the area.
Plans for pedestrianisation were first announced as part of the GLA-funded Low Emission Neighbourhood. TfL has provided £130,000 for the development of the trial.
If approved, we will keep the trial under continual review and will collect a range of data to test the impacts including feedback from residents, businesses and visitors, air quality, traffic and road safety information, footfall, the time people spend in the high street, how much visitors spend, accessibility, personal safety and health and wellbeing data.
Following any initial trial and considering the data and feedback collected, consideration would be given to next steps, which could include the closure being made permanent.
Councillor Harrison continued:
“We’re really excited about the opportunity to create more space to celebrate the local culture and community in Camden Town.
“We want to work with local residents, businesses, and community organisations to build a plan of cultural activity and improvements around the pedestrianisation that will embrace Camden High Street’s unique identity and history.
“This in turn will help boost local economic activity, whilst also enabling more events and activities in the local area.
“Ultimately, we want to create a sustainable high street that offers economic, social and health benefits, and that can become an even more vibrant, attractive hub of activity and culture."
Simon Pitkeathley, Camden Town Unlimited CEO said:
"Camden Town's pedestrianisation trial is a game-changer for local businesses. By creating a more walkable and welcoming environment, pedestrianisation will enhance the customer experience, increase foot traffic, and pave the way for a vibrant, activated high street.
“It’s a really exciting time for Camden Town, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this scheme will transform the experience of arriving in Camden. By prioritising pedestrian-friendly spaces, the high street will be much more accessible to businesses, visitors and residents.
“This is an important trial not only for the experience of arriving in Camden Town but also for air quality and public safety. This scheme aligns closely with our vision to move towards a more sustainable neighbourhood and improve green walking routes across the borough.
“It’s exciting to see how this scheme will boost local economic activity, support community events, and create a sustainable high street. All of these advantages align closely with our goals for Camden Town, and we are pleased to support this trial.
“As we all know, Camden Town can be quite overcrowded, so any new public space is always a welcome addition!”
- The trial would be brought in under an Experimental Traffic Order which would last for a maximum of 18 months, with monitoring of the trial occurring over the course of the first year of the trial. The trial closure on Camden High Street would from the junction with Parkway and Kentish Town Road to the junction with Jamestown Road and Hawley Crescent.
- New loading and delivery areas are proposed on Buck Street and on roads surrounding Camden High Street to support local businesses. Proposals include making Jamestown Road one-way westbound and creating space for streateries (areas in the road for businesses to use for outside seating), planting and a contraflow cycle lane.
- A consultation on the trial was launched on July 8 and will run for eight weeks with a possible trial pedestrianisation in late 2024 or early 2025. Drop in events will also be held where residents, businesses and local stakeholders will have the opportunity to hear more about the plans and give their views and will be publicised in due course.