Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood – attractive, healthy and accessible
Camden Council have launched an exciting new project in central London – The Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood, our latest major transformational project.
The project will provide a range of improvements including a safer, traffic free environment outside of the British Museum, new green and accessible public spaces and more segregated cycle lanes.
It has been clear for too long that the Holborn area needs improvements. Following a range of permanent transport safety improvements completed over the last few years, we are already making plans for further enhancements.
We want to transform Holborn into a place for people with attractive, healthy, accessible and safe streets for everyone, with cleaner air, more plants and trees, in new and improved spaces.
We also want to make getting around by sustainable and healthy types of transport easier and faster.
The scheme is in the heart of London and was approved by Transport for London (TfL) in 2019 under their Liveable Neighbourhood Programme. The project is expected to cost around £40m and will be funded from a range of sources including TfL funding, council capital investment, s106 and third-party contributions.
We are currently exploring the reach of this ambitious project and how the project might work in practice to achieve the best results for residents, businesses and visitors.
Initial ideas include a new people-focused public space on New Oxford Street, segregated cycle lanes and public space improvements on Theobalds Road, and a Healthy Hospital Street along Great Ormond Street creating a new space for visitors and patients to enjoy.
As part of this we want to hear from Holborn’s broad communities, those who live, work or spend time in the area about what they think about our initial ideas, how they feel about Holborn now and their own thoughts on what we could do to support Holborn to thrive. We’re also asking for input into how we measure the success of the project so communities can have a real impact on shaping the project.
Councillor Harrison continued:
“This is also a fantastic opportunity to undertake another major transformational project in the heart of London, implementing Safe and Healthy Street improvements supported by TfL and building on the outstanding success of the West End Project.
“The scheme will transform the streets in and around Holborn to improve conditions for walking, cycling and public transport, facilitate the expected growth in the area, and support the local economy, creating safer, healthier, greener and more attractive streets.
“Crucially this scheme will see benefits beyond the Holborn area, connecting the major public realm transformations delivered under the West End Project to the west, Gray’s Inn Road to the east, and Strand and Aldwych to the south. It will also tie into wider public realm improvements being delivered in Westminster, Islington and the City.
“I am also delighted that The West End Streets Steering Group (WESt), run by BusinessLDN, has selected this project as its new public realm project to champion and look forward to working closely with them.”
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said:
“We’re determined to make sure that everybody can travel safely and sustainably in London. Investment alongside boroughs such as Camden can make a real difference to enabling more people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
“These new proposals to transform roads and public spaces in Holborn, and compliment ongoing improvements in the area, will make the area safer and more pleasant for residents and visitors alike and we’ll continue to work closely with the council on them.”
Urban Symbiotics, who are assisting with our engagement said:
“We believe in making our neighbourhoods better for everyone, together with everyone! We're thrilled to be collaborating with Camden Council on the transformative Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood project.
“Our focus is on listening to the people of Holborn — their ideas, their needs, and ensuring that every voice is heard. With our expertise, we aim to help foster a thriving community in Holborn, where the streets are safer, the air is cleaner, and getting around is easier for everyone. By placing the community's perspectives at the core of this project, we hope to not only enhance the area but to also nurture a stronger, more connected community.”
Everyone who is interested in the project is encouraged to complete our survey available on our commonplace website, and sign up for our regular email newsletter online.
We will also be hosting a range of engagement events in the coming months, which we will be publicising, so look out for more details.
The Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood aims to provide wide-ranging benefits to the Holborn area through enabling and prioritisation of sustainable transport methods, improving air quality, increasing planting and the creation of new high quality public realm. The project aims to deliver against the Mayor's Transport Strategy and core Camden objectives in the We Make Camden and Camden’s Transport Strategy, as well as tying in with the work being undertaken on the Holborn Vision and Urban Strategy.
The aim is to transform the streets and public realm of Holborn to create a truly liveable neighbourhood – one which supports healthier lifestyles, more active and sustainable travel, thriving communities, sustainable growth, and a safer, greener, cleaner and more inclusive environment for all.
Website: www.camden.gov.uk/HolbornLN
Email: [email protected]