Camden making strides towards healthier, more sustainable travel
Camden is continuing to make good progress in implementing active travel schemes for the benefit of everyone who lives, works and travels through the borough.
Camden Council has been investing in environmentally friendly, healthier forms of travel. Our goal is to create more welcoming streets and neighbourhoods.
It is also heartening to see the amazing take-up and increased use of these schemes by everyone travelling in the borough. I’m proud that 87% of trips are now made sustainably — with 52% by walking, 30% by public transport and 5% by cycling, up from 3.6% in 2017.
While we are pleased with this progress, we know that there is still more work required to meet our targets.
Other recent highlights include:
- Harmful emissions in Camden from road transport has reduced. Between 2016 and 2024, CO2 emissions are estimated to have gone down 32% and NOx emissions down 73%, higher than the Inner London average.
- More people in Camden are choosing active travel every day— with 46% now doing at least 20 minutes daily, up from 43% in 2020, higher than the Inner London average.
- Car ownership in Camden has reduced by 21% between 2016 and 2023. This reduction is double the rate observed in the borough with the second highest reduction.
- The percentage of people living within 400m of a strategic cycle network in Camden has increased from 0% in 2016 to 61% in 2024.
- Since 2019 motor traffic volumes have decreased by 11% (to 2024).
Councillor Harrison continued:
“In the coming years we will invest further in the creation of new cycle networks and in walking and accessibility improvements, including new zebra crossings and dropped kerbs.
“We want to make it as safe and easy as possible for people to choose greener ways of travel leaving more space on the roads for people who need it the most.
“We plan to install 600 more electric vehicle charging points, create more safer and greener spaces outside Camden’s many schools, and work with TfL to improve bus journeys for passengers and electrify the bus network.
“We will also explore options to promote the use of car clubs to give people alternatives to car ownership while also setting targets to improve the safety of powered two-wheelers.”
You can read more about Camden's active travel schemes on our website.