Members of Camden Green Party call for the council to go further in making Tottenham Court Road and Bloomsbury safer by removing cars from Gower Street, instead of making piecemeal adjustments.
Camden Green Party, including newly elected Camden Green Councillor Siân Berry, campaigning for more ‘Space for Cycling’.
Camden and London Green Parties have called for more space to be created for cycling, walking and buses by removing private motor traffic from Gower Street and Tottenham Court Road.
The party issued the call in its response to Camden Council’s West End Project consultation which closes this Friday.
Camden Council plans to spend nearly £30 million on the West End Project, with the stated aim of making Tottenham Court Road and Bloomsbury safer and more attractive to residents. Part of the plan will see the removal of the one-way system on Tottenham Court Road, limiting usage of this busy and heavily-congested street to buses, pedestrians and cyclists until 7pm. Two segregated cycle lanes will also be installed on Gower Street.
Members of Camden Green Party, supported by their newly elected councillor Siân Berry, have been closely monitoring the consultation process. They believe the council could go much further in creating a genuinely cycle and pedestrian-friendly zone in the heart of central London. The party has tabled amendments to the consultation that would see cars removed completely from Gower Street and the two segregated lanes proposed for the road widened.
Sian Berry, Green Party Councillor for Camden said:
“The project as it stands misses the opportunity to build a much more ambitious shift towards cycling, public transport and walking on this crucial route through some of Camden’s most important public spaces and economic centres. We believe Camden should be planning boldly for the transport mode share we need in future decades, rather than making piecemeal adjustments. This only results in a poor provision of facilities for pedestrians and cyclists – the transport options that are helping us to reduce congestion on our roads.
“Although the project is taking steps in the right direction, the amendments we are proposing will do more to reduce air pollution and benefit shoppers, office workers, visitors and the local student population, as well as thousands of residents.”
Caroline Russell, Green Party Councillor for Islington and Local Transport Spokesperson for the Green Party added:
“Redesigning Tottenham Court Road and Gower Street could play a fundamental part in making London a more liveable city where active travel and public health are prioritised.
Camden Council should be ambitious in ensuring this scheme brings about major improvements for central London and creates streets that are safe, pleasant and convenient for residents, workers and visitors whether they walk, cycle or take public transport.”