Busy north London high street permanently bans traffic after successful trial

On Tuesday, October 27, Camden Council announced Camden High Street would ban vehicles for good after an 18 month trial. The council reported zero traffic collisions on Camden High Street during the trial period, down from six collisions and eight casualties in the previous year.Emergency service vehicles, rubbish trucks and northbound cyclists will be exempt from the permanent ban, meaning they can travel through the zone between Britannia Junction by Camden Town Tube station and the junction connecting Jamestown Road and Hawley Crescent. But support from local residents was not unanimous. In the most recent consultation, just over half (51 per cent) of respondents living locally approved of the scheme. Some 43% of local people and businesses who opposed the plans either strongly disapproved or were actively opposed.Map of the pedestrianised area on Camden High StreetCamden CouncilResidents said they were concerned about drivers speeding or breaching restrictions to avoid congestion and beat queues. Respondents also shared concerns that restricting cars and motor traffic access would simply displace vehicles on adjacent roads, creating bottlenecks and pushing traffic and pollution elsewhere.Retailers said they were losing trade because their shop fronts were obscured by barriers. Others said they were struggling to load and unload goods. But the council claims that the trial has so far had little impact on visitor footfall to Camden High Street.The local authority also said the trial had resulted in a “clear improvement” in air quality. Reports cited a drop in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentration levels across all monitored sites within the pedestrianised zone, which fell by 14.4 per cent.On nearby Kentish Town Road, where vehicles had been diverted by the restriction zone, NO₂ concentration in fact rose by 1.5 per cent. The council said the levels here were still “within national legal limits”. Police data appears to show anti-social behaviour, pickpocketing and other offences fell after the street became pedestrian-only.Read MoreThe council has also begun installing a new northbound bus lane on Kentish Town Road to address concerns about bus delays caused by the changes. Making the zone permanently vehicle free will cost an estimated £10,000 in administration. Camden Council proposed to expand the pedestrianised zone towards Camden Lock and Chalk Farm. A consultation is set to launch in Spring 2027.