Have your say on plans for Camden Town’s Low Emission Neighbourhood
Following a successful bid to the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund to implement ambitious plans to lower air pollution in the Camden Town area, Camden Council are launching an engagement programme to listen to the views of residents and businesses about how this can be achieved.
"In Camden we have radically raised the level of our ambition on cleaning up our air by targeting stretching World Health Organization guidelines for air quality in Camden by 2030.
“The Mayor’s Air Quality Fund will help us to make Camden Town a Low Emission Neighbourhood. Research has shown that long-term exposure to elevated concentrations of air pollution can cause health issues, including increased risk of asthma, cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses.”
Running from Tuesday 4 February until Friday 20 March, and open to residents, businesses and all interested stakeholders, there will be a series of drop-in sessions, community pop-ups and workshops to help develop the best possible schemes to tackle transport-related air quality issues in Camden Town and assist in the creation of the Low Emission Neighbourhood.
“We are considering a wide range of possible measures for Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood, including: improving and upgrading walking and cycling links; installing a network of Electric Vehicle Charging Points; working with schools and community groups to launch ‘Healthy School Streets’ and ‘Play Streets’ and reviewing a range of parking approaches that will reduce traffic levels.
“I am particularly excited at the prospect of trialling giving over to pedestrians the section of the High Street between Camden Town tube station and Hawley Crescent. This would free it from motorised traffic on selected weekends, and we are currently assessing this.
“Camden High Street experiences high levels of traffic, with busy pavements, meaning that visitors, residents and businesses are exposed to crowded footways and high levels of vehicle emission pollution. This trial pedestrianisation will provide everyone with the chance to experience this iconic part of the borough without these issues.”
Camden Town Unlimited Chief Executive, Simon Pitkeathley said:
“We fully recognise the urgency of the climate crisis and are delighted to see engagement for the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood launch.
“It will be exciting to see the iconic High Street become more pedestrian friendly at weekends as we work towards a climate friendly Camden, recognising that measures such as this are vital if Camden Town is to have a place in an innovative vision for the future of our cities”
For more information visit the online ‘Engagement Hub’ to find more information about the project, read the frequently asked questions, make comments on an interactive map and complete the Camden High Street Survey.
In addition to the online ‘Engagement Hub’ and on-street pop-ups, everyone has the opportunity to chat to us at the following drop-in sessions:
Saturday 8 February, 2 to 4pm - The Pirate Castle, Oval Road, NW1 7EA.
Tuesday 25 February, 6 to 8pm - Castlehaven Community Centre, Castlehaven Road, NW1 8RU.
Thursday 19 March, 6 to 8pm, Castlehaven Community Centre, Castlehaven Road, NW1 8RU.
Following this first phase of engagement, the council will be holding a series of drop-in co-design workshops, where attendees will be able to explore the issues raised and help develop potential solutions with a team of facilitators, engineers and urban designers.
The council is also undertaking engagement work in Kentish Town, where it is working with stakeholders and residents to develop a range of measures which aim to improve the area for walking, cycling and to make it safer and more pleasant for residents and vulnerable road users.
You can find out more information about this project at: www.kentishtownhealthystreets.commonplace.is
The interactive map covers both the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood and Kentish Town Healthy Streets project area.
- In September 2019 the Camden Citizens’ Assembly on the Climate Crisis developed and agreed 17 actions that should be taken by residents, community groups, businesses and the council in Camden. One of these actions was “to promote and trial car free zones and days”. The proposed weekend trial pedestrainisation of Camden High Street directly responds to this request for action.
- To find out more about the project visit: www.camdentownlen.commonplace.is/ You can also contact the Council directly via email at: [email protected]