Camden plans secret traffic ban on Broadhurst Gardens: Have your say!
Camden is secretly developing for traffic for Broadhurst Gardens. Camden has declared it is looking to block vehicles accessing Broadhurst Gardens, but has refused to say what the plans are and won’t consult you on them before they’re implemented! We want you to have your say, so have launched a survey at www.bit.ly/BroadhurstTraffic
The scheme is one of many that Camden has launched without consultation, despite the risk that the proposals could re-route traffic and create bottlenecks to force it on to fewer and fewer roads. The council bragged in July that it was progressing the scheme and had bid for government funding for it, but did not disclose what the plans are. Shouldn’t you be asked about it?
Some traffic changes that Camden and TfL have introduced have worked, but many haven’t, such as the narrowing of Finchley Road outside the O2 Centre, which has just created gridlock.
Blocking vehicles on Broadhurst would likely cause rat-runs on Compayne Gardens, Greencroft Gardens, Priory Road, and Woodchurch Road. If not done right, it could jeopardise the C11. Almost any scheme would put pressure on parking and make it harder for local drivers and taxis. On the other hand, good plans may be beneficial - but Camden won’t tell you what they are!
At our request, Camden’s Conservative opposition councillors have asked several times what the scheme entails. But Camden’s Labour administration has refused to say: with council officials saying they would disclose the details only to Swiss Cottage’s Labour councillors, but not the public. But Camden has been ‘developing’ this scheme for two months - isn’t it time they asked you?
We find this secrecy to be an undermining of democracy and an unsavoury exploitation of the COVID emergency. We have launched a survey at www.bit.ly/BroadhurstTraffic to find out what you would and wouldn’t support.
Resident involvement in developing plans is invaluable. Your input gives the council a chance to bin bad ideas, improve good ones, save taxpayers money, and avoid unnecessary disruption either way.
Changes to your community should be done only when you’re at the heart of it, not just a spectator.
Fill out the survey at http://bit.ly/BroadhurstTraffic. Your voice matters, and we will continue to push Camden to listen to it and not progress works that don’t have your support.
