Camden Council has finished gathering people’s views on Camden High Street’s motor-traffic-free zone and will decide later this month if the scheme is to be made permanent.

The consultation followed a 16-month trial of the zone, during which time it was found to have overwhelmingly positive impacts, according to the council.

Since the section of Camden Town High Street between Jamestown road and Parkway was closed to motor vehicles in May 2025, air quality, crowding and road and street safety have all improved while visitor numbers and spending have remained the same.

The only down-side, says the council, is that some bus journeys are taking longer.

I know the zone needs some access improvements and that Camden Disability Action has concerns about how the consultations were carried out, but I am in favour of the scheme.

I think the pedestrianisation of Camden Town is a really good idea because it makes more room for tourists and the residents of Camden Town. And it makes it easier for wheelchair users to use Camden Town during the week, although it’s still overcrowded at the weekends.

Other Disabled Camden residents I have spoken to have a mix of views on the scheme, though only one was fully against it.

Broadcaster and journalist Mik Scarlet, who, like me, uses a wheelchair and is local to the area, believes the scheme can work provided adjustments are made.

“I think it’ll be nice when it’s finished. If it is to be made permanent it’ll need to be made totally level, with no kerbs. The security rubbish needs to be taken up and replaced with accessible, well-designed barriers. And the whole area outside the tube station needs a major upgrade,” he said.

Mik added: “What’s most essential is that cyclists are prevented from racing through the pedestrian zone. It’s not safe or accessible and the council should not be promoting such a dangerous solution.”

Meanwhile, Gloria Bradley, who lives with mobility conditions and severe pain, told me she approved of closing the area off to motor traffic.

“Wheelchair access is better. It’s a narrow street that is always busy, so with vehicles eliminated it allows more room for wheelchair users to be able to explore the area,” said Gloria.

She added: “It does eliminate some pollution and shopping is easier too. People including children and tourists can roam freely without the fear of being hit by a car.”

Despite being in favour of the scheme, Gloria said she could see some problems with it, such as increased littering, shops struggling to get their deliveries and drivers having to take more round-a-bout routes, leading to greater pollution in surrounding areas.

Jill, who has mobility conditions and a learning disability, is opposed the new zone.

She said: “I don’t like the pedestrian area because it’s overcrowded and there’s too many bikes going in both directions and lots of noise.”

Jill added: “I also think it’s not clear where the zone ends, which is dangerous as people can walk into traffic. The kerbs are also dangerous for blind people.”

The practical impact of changes to streets is one issue of interest to Disabled people, but not the only one. How councils or other service providers go about involving Disabled people in their designs and decision-making is the other key area of concern.

CDA’s Communications and Engagement Officer, Tom McDonough, told me: “The council didn’t engage with CDA prior to the start of the trial in May 2025 and the online consultations they used are not accessible for many Disabled people.”

Tom also stated: “However, the council did engage with a group of CDA members about the scheme in February 2026 – 10 months after it began – and we are looking forward to seeing whether any of our recommendations will be implemented.”

“CDA is in favour of changes that reduce car-dominance, cut air pollution, promote active travel and make it easier and less stressful for people to get around, provided the changes are designed with and inclusive of Disabled people,” Tom added.

Responding to CDA’s concerns about the involvement of Disabled people in the design of the motor-vehicle free zone, Councillor James Slater, Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden, said: “While planning pedestrianisation, and during the trial, we engaged with Disabled People’s Organisations, including Camden Disability Action, and assessed potential impacts and mitigations in several ways including an access audit and Equalities Impact Assessment.”

The Councillor added: “Prior to the trial pedestrianisation, we heard from Disabled people who had to deal with overcrowded, narrow pavements which limited their ability to move comfortably and efficiently along the street.”

As for me, I am happy about the zone and hope it gets made permanent and that improvements are made so it becomes accessible for all.