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When it comes to enhancing public spaces, London is certainly on a roll this week. Yesterday (October 27), the city’s most historic shopping hub, Oxford Street, was permanently closed to vehicles. Now, another popular high street will also ban anything on four wheels for good.
It’s just been announced that Camden High Street will be fully pedestrianised following an 18-month trial. The high street, which is home to the historic Camden Market, has been through many changes over the decades. Evolving from the home of counterculture in the 80s to a tourist hotspot, one thing that has stayed relatively the same is the hundreds of people passing through the road whether as tourist or commuter. The market alone is estimated to draw 250,000 visitors every week.
Last May, Camden Council introduced a trial to pedestrianise the busiest part of the street, from outside the tube station up to the junction with Hawley Crescent (outside The Elephant’s Head pub), to prevent overcrowding and reduce pollution.
A consultation held over the summer found that 57 percent of everyone who responded agreed with the proposal to make the pedestrianisation permanent. Local residents were marginally in favour, with 51 percent of people agreeing with the plans.
Councillor James Slater said: ‘Camden Town is an important shopping and transport hub for local residents as well as being an internationally recognised destination that draws people in from across London, the rest of the UK, and the world.
‘After 18 months, we asked this summer whether you wanted to see the pedestrianisation become permanent. Based on our consultation and the positive outcomes we have seen, we have made the decision to make it permanent.’
The pedestrianised area could even be extended up towards the famous Camden Lock Bridge.
Cllr James added: ‘We also heard that many of you are open to the idea of the pedestrianisation being extended over the Camden Lock bridge towards the junction with Chalk Farm Road. We will therefore be developing and testing a design for a potential extension over the next few months, and we will publish further information next spring to seek your views on it.’
The council said some responders felt bus services had been negatively impacted by the changes. So it has promised to introduce a trial bus lane on Kentish Town Road to boost northbound bus journeys.
Did you know there is also a plan to pedestrianise parts of Regent Street St James’s?
Plus: These are the 12 best pubs in Camden.
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