Camden Council is proposing a permanent ban on motor traffic on a section of the world-famous Camden High Street, with a six-week consultation now open. The trial pedestrianisation, first introduced in May 2025, could be made permanent, and the council is also seeking views on a potential expansion of the traffic-free area.
Trial Details and Proposed Changes
The current trial runs from the junction with Parkway and Kentish Town Road to Jamestown Road and Hawley Crescent, just outside Camden Town Underground station. Buses towards Chalk Farm now travel along Kentish Town Road and then Hawley Crescent before continuing northward. The trial was designed to create a safer, healthier and more enjoyable space for local residents.
As part of the new consultation, Camden Council is considering adding a new northbound bus lane. They are also considering extending the pedestrianised area to include a stretch of Camden High Street that runs down to Chalk Farm Road, and adjoining Jamestown Road. Prior to the trial, the council said that the number of vehicles in the area often led to conflict with pedestrians overspilling from the pavement, worsened air quality, and negatively affected visitors’ experience on Camden High Street.
Official Statements and Benefits
Councillor James Slater, cabinet member for planning and a sustainable Camden, said: "Camden Town is an important shopping and transport hub for local residents as well and being an internationally recognised destination that draws people in from across London, the rest of the UK, and the world. The trial has made the area safer and more pleasant for pedestrians and reduced air pollution on the street. The extra space has also allowed us to hold events and activities that showcase the best of Camden’s culture and communities."
Cllr Slater added that making the trial permanent would provide opportunities to replace the large barriers with a smart bollard system and make further improvements to the look and feel of the street, with the help of the local community. He said that further extending the area across Camden Lock bridge and up to the junction with Castlehaven Road could include a range of improvements for people walking, wheeling and cycling, as well as more public space and outdoor seating for local businesses.
Consultation and Public Support
The consultation, which launched on Monday, will run for six weeks until Sunday August 23. Feedback received during the trial has indicated strong public support. Camden Council report that data shows that the amount that people spend on businesses in the pedestrianised area has remained at consistent levels, and visitor footfall has remained mostly the same. They said that roads around Camden High Street did not see higher traffic levels overall, while there have been clear improvements in air quality on the high street and overall levels of crime have fallen. More than 70% of respondents in a 2024 consultation backed the pedestrianisation.
Next Steps
Once the new consultation is complete, feedback will be considered alongside monitoring data collected during the trial, as well as council policies, before Camden decides whether to make the pedestrianised area permanent or end the trial. If approved, further public consultation on the extended area would take place in 2027.
