Camden High Street party launches pedestrianisation of iconic road
Camden High Street hosted Camden at 60: The Big Street Party to launch the beginning of the pedestrianisation trial of Camden High Street on Bank Holiday Monday.
The event, part of Camden Council’s newly launched Camden High Street cultural programme, saw the newly pedestrianised street celebrate the area's rich history, stories, and grassroots culture. Residents enjoyed entertainment including a performance by Folk Dance Remixed, a folk and contemporary street dance act, a lively celebration of Camden’s Irish heritage courtesy of The London Irish Centre and DJ Linett Kamala and the Dig It Sound System.
The world-famous street will now be motor vehicle free for an 18-month trial period. It is anticipated that the pedestrianisation will create a better, safer and healthier environment for residents and visitors, helping them to spend more time in the area shopping with local businesses and enjoying cultural events, and also promoting sustainable travel.
This Big Street Party was a fantastic showcase of Camden’s unique and vibrant spirit.
Seeing residents come together in this new public space, celebrating the diverse cultural tapestry that defines Camden Town, highlights the vital role community plays in the life of our borough. This event is just the very beginning, and our cultural programme is designed to build on that spirit with a range of events that will foster community connections and animate Camden High Street throughout the coming year.
Camden Town is an internationally recognised destination and an important transport hub that draws people in from across London, the rest of the UK, and the world.
The high street is the first thing many people see when they exit Camden Town tube. But at peak times there can be as many as 40,000 people on the high street, creating significant overcrowding and a stressful experience. So many people have asked why the high street is not already pedestrianised – now we are delivering on that call.
The council will keep the trial under continual review and collect a range of data to monitor the impacts including feedback from residents, businesses and visitors. Following the trial and considering the data and feedback collected, consideration will be given to next steps, which could include the closure being made permanent.
The Camden High Street cultural programme will continue throughout the coming year, featuring events which celebrate fashion, art and the musical heritage of the high street, aimed at bringing local communities together and creating a dynamic experience for residents and visitors alike. Further details will be published on the Love Camden website.
Find out more about the pedestrianisation trial, including traffic routes and deliveries, and how to sign up for updates and to give feedback, by visiting Camden High Street Commonplace.