The Big Street Party welcomes trial pedestrianisation to Camden High Street
Camden Council is launching its trial pedestrianisation of Camden High Street on Saturday 3 May and will start its cultural programme with Camden at 60: The Big Street Party on Monday 5 May 2025.
This exciting event will reconnect Camden Town communities, bringing residents and visitors together to make the most out of the newly pedestrianised space, following an agreement to trial the removal of motor traffic from part of Camden High Street.
Camden at 60: The Big Street Party is our amazing opportunity to show everyone how we have been able to reclaim this busy street, with its iconic markets, music venues, and businesses, and make the most out of this new public space.
Since its creation in 1965, the borough of Camden has been a creative powerhouse and cultural landmark. This event celebrates Camden’s 60-year legacy while also commemorating VE Day 80, remembering 80 years since Victory in Europe Day.
This free, community-centred event marks a new chapter for Camden Town, and you don’t want to miss it!
Highlights of the day will include:
- Folk Dance Remixed will be performing a unique fusion of traditional folk and contemporary street dance.
- A celebration of Camden’s Irish heritage, featuring live music and performances from The London Irish Centre.
- DJs taking you on a nostalgic journey through the last six decades of music history.
- Arts & crafts sessions – perfect for the whole family.
The Big Street Party will be our first opportunity to celebrate Camden Town’s rich history, stories, and grassroots culture following the trial closure. We are also working with local residents, businesses, and community organisations on the Camden High Street Cultural Programme. Running for around 12 months during 2025 to 2026, this programme will feature events designed to bring local communities together, creating a dynamic experience for residents and visitors.
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 or get off the bus. 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.
From Saturday, 3 May, the trial pedestrianisation of a section of Camden High Street will go live. This will be the start of an 18-month trial to create a healthier, more vibrant Camden Town for residents, businesses and visitors.
This scheme forms part of our plans to establish a Low Emission Neighbourhood in Camden Town, backed by £500,000 of funding from the Mayor’s London Air Quality Fund. These schemes aim to improve air quality and promote sustainable living in an identified area.
Over 70% of people in a public consultation held last year said they supported pedestrianisation and the proposal to trial a motor traffic-free section of Camden High Street.
The trial will see the removal of motor vehicles on Camden High Street, from the junction with Parkway and Kentish Town Road, in front of Camden Town Underground station, and up to the junction of Jamestown Road and Hawley Crescent. Buses towards Chalk Farm will travel along Kentish Town Road and then Hawley Crescent before continuing northward.
TfL has provided £130,000 for the development of the trial.
The council will keep the trial under continual review and collect a range of data to test 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.
More information about the trial, including the planned changes to bus routes, traffic routes and deliveries can be found on the Camden High Street Commonplace. Here, residents can also sign up for email updates to get the latest information on the trial: Camdenhighstreet.commonplace.is
To book your free ticket for The Big Street Party visit Love Camden
You can view the relevant papers and consultation results online.
- Bus stops in the trial area are not being changed and new blue badge parking is being provided on side streets. Changes on Jamestown Road will enable more space to be provided for Streateries – outdoor seating areas. In addition to making Jamestown Road one way west bound between Camden High Street and Arlington Road the following changes will also be made:
- Paid parking bays will be converted into Streateries and loading bays to support businesses located on Jamestown Road with opportunities for outside seating.
- A new contra flow cycle lane will be introduced to support two-way cycling and encourage more active travel.
- Loading bays will be located near the junction of Jamestown Road and Camden High Street to support the loading and delivery services to the businesses located on Camden High Street and surrounding streets.