sign in sign up
<<
Home , Camden Town

FAQS

List of Questions

What is the Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood? Where is the Low Emission Neighbourhood area? What is the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund How will the project be funded? How long will the programme run for? Why is air quality important? How clean is the air in Camden Town? What schemes are Camden Council considering for the Low Emission Neighbourhood? Why does the council want to trial a weekend pedestrianisation of ? How does this project link to the Camden Citizens’ Assembly on the Climate Crisis? What section of Camden High Street are we proposing to trial a weekend pedestrianisation on? What is the rationale for this proposed weekend pedestrianisation trial? Where can I find out more about the weekend trial pedestrianisation? When will the trial pedestrianisation scheme happen? What will the impact on traffic be during the trial? Will the trial pedestrianisation scheme mean that bus passengers won’t be able to get to Camden High Street anymore? Will bus journey times increase in the area? Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

How will visitors by private car/taxi access Camden High Street? How will those with disabilities access Camden High Street? I own a business on Camden High Street. How will I get deliveries? Will the trial pedestrianisation cause more air pollution on the surrounding streets? Why is Camden only trialling a pedestrianisation scheme? Why not pedestrianise Camden High Street permanently? When will this programme be delivered? How can I request a bike hanger outside my house? How can I request an Electric Vehicle Charging Point (EVCP)? I want to learn more about reducing my business emissions. How can I give my views? Drop-in event schedule Co-design event schedule What will happen after this stage of community engagement?

Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

These frequently asked questions provide information on the proposed Low Emission Neighbourhood. It is a live document and will be reviewed and updated with questions and answers as we receive them from members of the public. This will be available online at https://camdentownlen.commonplace.is/schemes/proposals/frequently-asked- questions/details

What is the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood? The Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood is a comprehensive package of measures to address high air pollution in a busy area of the borough. It will include physical changes to the streets to support walking and cycling, the greening of public spaces, improved provision for electric vehicles, projects with schools and businesses, and the installation of on street secure cycle storage. In January 2019, we successfully bid to the Mayor of ’s Air Quality fund to implement ambitious plans to create a new Low Emission Neighbourhood in Camden Town (see press release here). The Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood is outlined in the map below. The area comprises of 3,892 properties.

Where is the Low Emission Neighbourhood area?

What is the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund The Mayor’s Air Quality Fund is a £22 million fund over 10 years to support projects led by to improve air quality. Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

How will the project be funded? Camden Council have secured £500,000 of funding from the Authority via the Mayors Air Quality Fund. This funding will be used alongside funding from the Local Implementation Plan and “S106” funds (contributions from new developments in the area).

How long will the programme run for? The Mayors Air Quality Fund funding is allocated to run until March 2022. The project engagement will run from January to May 2020.

Why is air quality important? Research has shown that long-term exposure to elevated concentrations of air pollution can cause health impacts, including increased risk of asthma, cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses. Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions are especially susceptible to the impact of breathing polluted air. There are four schools and educational establishments in the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood area, which encompasses the area bordered by Road to the east, of Wales Road to the north, and Road and Camden High Street. Data from the (GLA) and ’s (TfL) London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI) shows that air quality at each of these schools is likely to exceed the legal limits.

How clean is the air in Camden Town? ‘Air quality’ refers to the amount of gases and particles in the air, which can be harmful to health. The main airborne pollutants of concern for health are nitrogen oxides (NO2 and NO, collectively known as NOx) and particulates (PM), of which PM2.5 is of particular concern; this means airborne particles that are 2.5 micrometres in diameter, 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair. NOx and PM is produced when fossil fuels are burned in boilers, engines and cooking facilities, and a small amount of PM is also produced by friction between surfaces (such as between car tyres and the road surface) and when materials are broken or crushed and dust is released (such as during demolition and construction activities).

The UK has a legal limit for NO2, which relates to the safe level or this gas. This is measured as the annual mean concentration of NO2 in the air, and is set at 40 micrograms of NO2 per cubic metre of air. Although there is also a legal limit for PM10, Camden is the first London local authority to have adopted the much stricter World Health Organization standards, which sets us more ambitious targets for air quality.

Our monitoring data shows that several congested streets around Camden Town have NO2 concentrations above the legal limit. For example, the 2018 annual mean NO2 concentration on Camden Road was 56µg/m3. This is 40% higher than the legal limit and the fifth most polluted monitoring location in Camden that year. London air quality modelling indicates that road transport is responsible for 53% of NOx (NO2 and NO) emissions and 25% of PM10 and PM2.5 emissions in the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood, while commercial premises contribute 31% of NOx, 30% of PM10, and 52% of PM2.5. Construction activities, residential properties and rail transportation all make contributions to total pollutant emissions in the area. Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

What schemes are Camden Council considering for the Low Emission Neighbourhood? A number of schemes are being considered for the project, we want to hear from residents, businesses, and visitors to the area to help us further develop solutions. By listening to local people and understanding what the issues are, we can deliver the best possible solutions for the area. Possible interventions in the Low Emission Neighbourhood may include, and is not limited to:

 A weekend trial pedestrianisation of Camden High Street from Camden Town underground station to Hawley Crescent. This would take place on a trial basis on weekends only, providing a more pleasant and safe environment for residents, visitors and businesses.  Work with schools and community groups to launch ‘Healthy School Streets’ and ‘Play Streets’ in the Low Emission Neighbourhood area  Improve and upgrade the walking and cycling connections into and through the Low Emission Neighbourhood  Install a network of Electric Vehicle Charging Points across the Low Emission Neighbourhood  Reduce vehicle emissions around residential roads by delivering anti-idling measures  A network of bike hangers to provide a secure place for residents to lock their bikes.  Support for local businesses to reduce emissions from freight deliveries, waste collections, whilst reducing overall emissions from ’s activities.  Review a range of parking approaches that will reduce traffic levels. Target building emissions by using our environmental business network, the Camden Climate Change Alliance and work with Camden Town Unlimited, which is the local business improvement district.

Why does the council want to trial a weekend pedestrianisation of Camden High Street? Camden High Street has a vibrant mix of markets, cosmopolitan independent retailers, tube station and world-famous music venues, with millions of pedestrian journeys being made to and along the street each year. Camden High Street experiences high levels of traffic with busy pavements meaning that visitors, residents and businesses are exposed to high levels of vehicle emission pollution. The Camden Transport Strategy adopted by the council in April 2019, commits to transforming our streets and places to enable active forms of travel – walking and cycling. These modes of travel are at the top of Camden’s ‘road user hierarchy’, recognising their benefits in terms of improving personal health, reducing motor vehicle traffic and congestion, improving air quality and reducing road traffic collisions.

How does this project link to the Camden Citizens’ Assembly on the Climate Crisis? The Camden Citizens’ Assembly on the Climate Crisis brought together residents from Camden during 2019 to develop an approach for how Camden can best tackle the climate crisis. The assembly heard a range of evidence outlining the facts of the climate and ecological crisis and the ways in which it can be tackled, before developing and agreeing 17 actions that should be taken by residents, community groups, businesses and the council in Camden. Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

One of these actions was “to promote and trial car free zones and days”. The proposed weekend trial pedestrianisation of Camden High Street directly responds to this request for action.

What section of Camden High Street are we proposing to trial a weekend pedestrianisation on? We are looking at various options, north of Britannia Junction (the junction where the HSBC and Camden Town underground station are located), for a potential weekend trial pedestrianisation scheme.

What is the rationale for this proposed weekend pedestrianisation trial? At peak weekends during the summer the footfall on Camden High Street is at its highest. On Saturdays and Sundays over the summer period the footfall on Camden High Street is at its highest. At these times, moving along Camden High Street on foot is not a pleasant or safe experience for pedestrians. It can be an intimidating an inaccessible place for more vulnerable users, and it can be difficult for residents and visitors to move along Camden High Street at a comfortable pace Locals and visitors are forced to share the high street with vehicles on crowded footways and therefore are therefore exposed to high levels of road danger and pollution from vehicles. Road accident data from the Camden Town area shows that from 2015 to 2017 there were eight incidents in which pedestrians were injured and three in which cyclists were injured on Camden High Street between Britannia Junction and the junction with Hawley Crescent and Jamestown Road.

Where can I find out more about the weekend trial pedestrianisation? We released a press release in June 2019 about the Low Emission Neighbourhood funding and the pedestrianisation. We are still in the early stages of assessing the feasibility of pedestrianising Camden High Street from Britannia Junction to Hawley Crescent on weekends during the summer and the festive period. The council has been discussing the proposed project with TfL and ward Councillors.

When will the trial pedestrianisation scheme happen? We are working in partnership with TfL to understand the feasibility and impact on the surrounding road network, of trialling a summer and festive period weekend (Saturday and Sunday) only pedestrianisation of Camden High Street between Britannia Junction and Hawley Crescent. Our ambition is to begin the trial in summer 2020 and are working towards this goal with TfL. As this work progresses we will publicise the planned dates of the trial.

What will the impact on traffic be during the trial? We are working closely with TfL and carrying out traffic modelling to assess the impact of the scheme on bus journey times and the surrounding road network. We have not yet decided on exactly what route the traffic will take during the trial weekend closure. Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

Will the trial pedestrianisation scheme mean that bus passengers won’t be able to get to Camden High Street anymore? There are no bus stops on the section of Camden High Street between Parkway and Hawley Crescent. This means that the weekend trial pedestrianisation would not create any changes to bus stops. During the weekend pedestrian trial buses and general traffic will be diverted along Kentish Town Road and Hawley Crescent. This will mean that journey times between Bus Stop X (south of Britannia Junction) and Bus Stop CQ (north of Camden Market on ) for the bus routes 24, 27, 31, 168 would be affected.

Will bus journey times increase in the area? We are working in partnership with TfL to assess the impact the trial on bus journey times throughout the area. Camden and TfL are working together to ensure that any delays to bus journey times are minimised during the trail.

How will visitors by private car/taxi access Camden High Street? The stretch of Camden High Street from Britannia Junction to Hawley Crescent is currently north bound only for vehicles and is not a destination for the vast majority of vehicles. There are no pay and display parking bays on Camden High Street, therefore we know that the business here do not rely upon on street parking for the majority of their customers. The vast majority of visitors to Camden High Street arrive by public transport, walking or cycling. Opening up Camden High Street to pedestrians will mean that all vehicles will have to go on a diversion when the pedestrianisation scheme is in operation. We are working with TfL to ensure the existing taxi bays, near the male public toilets, at Britannia Junction will remain operational during the trial.

How will those with disabilities access Camden High Street? We will be conducting an access audit of Camden High Street with representatives from the independent Camden Disability Action Group. Taxis and private cars will retain the ability to drop on the streets surrounding Camden High Street during the trail periods.

I own a business on Camden High Street. How will I get deliveries? The proposed trial will mean that vehicles cannot use Camden High Street as a through route from Britannia Junction to Hawley Crescent on weekends only. On Monday to Friday, throughout the year, there will be no changes to Camden High Street and your businesses’ ability to load and unload. Camden Council will work with local businesses to ensure they retain the ability to get deliveries during the weekend trial period.

Will the trial pedestrianisation cause more air pollution on the surrounding streets? The project is funded by the Mayors Air Quality Fund and significant attention will be paid to air quality levels across the project area. We will measure the air quality on Camden High Street and the surrounding streets during the period of the trial pedestrianisation weekends.

Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

Why is Camden only trialling a pedestrianisation scheme? Why not pedestrianise Camden High Street permanently? We recognise that while Camden High Street is a major international destination for visitors, it also forms an integral part of our transport network both as a through route for road traffic and as an underground station. This complex mix of Camden High Street being a both destination and a place that facilitates movement needs to be balanced. We feel that investigating the feasibility of a trial pedestrianisation on the weekends addresses this balance. Camden Council will closely monitor the impact of the trail when in operation.

When will this programme be delivered? Engagement activities will begin in January 2020 through to May 2020. During this engagement we want to hear from residents, businesses and visitors to the area to better understand the community’s ideas in relation to transport related issues in the area. The Mayors Air Quality Fund funding runs until March 2022.

How can I request a bike hanger outside my house? To request a bike hanger please email [email protected], giving your address.

How can I request an Electric Vehicle Charging Point (EVCP)? To request an EVCP please email: [email protected], giving your address. Requests are looked at collectively and are used to assess demand. Unfortunately, it will not possible to fulfil every request.

I want to learn more about reducing my business emissions. Businesses contribute to local air pollution through fuel combustion in heating and power systems (for example, gas boilers, generators, water heaters and patio heaters) and cooking facilities (gas stoves, charcoal grills and wood-fired pizza ovens), as well as through deliveries, servicing and despatching goods. Indoor workplaces may also have poor internal air quality due to these and other minor combustion sources, such as paraffin candles and incense, and chemicals from furnishings, paint and cleaning products. Collectively, indoor air pollution can lead to poor productivity and long-term exposure may affect employee health. Through the Camden Climate Change Alliance we are providing free audits for businesses in the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood area to help to identify opportunities for saving energy, reducing emissions and improving indoor air quality. We will also produce easy-to-understand indoor air quality guidance documents in collaboration with Camden Council’s Public Health department and other air quality experts. Small and medium businesses and third sector organisations in Camden can apply to the Camden Climate Fund for up to £10,000 of grant funding towards the installation of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures. For more information please visit the Camden climate fund webpage. Businesses can also receive a free freight audit from WEGO Couriers and free cargo bike trials through our MAYORS AIR QUALITY FUND-funded Camden Cargo Bike Network project. The audit provides an assessment of freight needs and the potential to move to cargo bikes, thereby cutting emissions and road congestion. Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

How can I give my views? Engagement with local residents, businesses and stakeholders will help us understand local issues and perceptions and help us co-design schemes to address these. A crucial factor will be the development of proposals through early and ongoing engagement. By being more responsive to the needs of communities, the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood will have aim to have a broader range of interventions that deliver the right solutions in the right locations. An inclusive approach will bring as many people as possible into the design process for the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood through various ways including;

 An online survey – Available online to complete here: https://camdentownlen.commonplace.is/schemes/proposals/have-your-say-on-the- camden-high-street-perception-survey/details  Mail out to all local properties directly informing residents and businesses about the project  A Stakeholder Management Group formed of local councillors, school representatives, Camden Town Unlimited, representatives from Tenant and Residents associations, representatives from resident groups, Safer Neighbourhood Team, Camden Cycling Campaign and Camden Council.  Accessibility audit of the street with Camden Disability Action to assess the current issues in the area for these people.  Face to face business survey with: o Scheduled drop-in events to gather local perspectives and offer an opportunity for residents to discuss the project with us o Public pop-up events o Events at local schools gates o Public co-design events

Drop-in event schedule Come and speak to us about the Camden Town Low Emission Neighbourhood project and complete our perception survey to help us understand local issues and current perceptions of the project area. As well as on-street pop-ups we will be at the following locations;

Location Date Time The Pirate Castle Saturday 8th February 2 - 4pm Castlehaven Community Centre Tuesday 25th February 6 – 8pm Castlehaven Community Centre Saturday 8th February 6 – 8pm

Co-design event schedule Following this first phase of engagement, residents are invited to take part in a series of public co-design workshops, where they will be able to explore the issues raised and develop potential solutions with a team of engineers and urban designers. The location and times of these will be released in early March on Commonplace. We will send all those who have provided their email during the engagement an email outline the dates and locations of these events.

Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood FAQs

What will happen after this stage of community engagement? Following this first phase of engagement, we will be holding a series of co-design workshops, where you will be able to explore the issues raised and develop potential solutions with a team of facilitators, engineers and urban designers. The venue and dates for these sessions will be posted on the engagement hub.

How can I contact the Camden Low Emission Neighbourhood team?

Project email: [email protected] Website: https://camdentownlen.commonplace.is/overview

What else is happening in the area? Engagement work is also taking place in Kentish Town, where Camden Council is working with stakeholders and residents to develop a package of interventions which aim to improve the area for walking and cycling and to make the area safer and more pleasant for residents and vulnerable road users. You can find out more information about this project at https://kentishtownhealthystreets.commonplace.is/overview