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| NEWS | By DAN CARRIER |
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THE congestion charge should be introduced in Kentish Town Road to save it from a slow death caused by choking commuter traffic, according to Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow. Speaking exclusively to the New Journal Mr Snow (pictured), who lives in Torriano Cottages off Leighton Road, said he believed Ken Livingstone’s charge should include Kentish Town. He said: “I’m all for expanding the charge. “If only there were fewer cars on the streets, we’d all move about much faster. And the knock on effects for public health, for businesses, for quality of life would be marvellous.” Mr Snow, who cycles to his ITN office in Gray’s Inn Road each day, says a c-charge needs to be introduced as soon as possible to raise the tone of the high street – and help local shopkeepers stay afloat and fight off the chain stores. He said:“I am eternally annoyed by the abject refusal of Kentish Town Road to get any better. “It is frustrated by being a massive main road feeding people to the north of England. It’s a thoroughfare and its just too narrow to be one. “The interesting thing is when it closed for road works, the traffic found another way. “The road is torn between passing trade that’s totally unreliable, while local trade is put off because of the passing trade and the problems of getting in and out of Kentish Town Road. “If you compare it to Brecknock Road there is no competition – on the weekends the shops there are fit to burst. There is more trade there in a day than three in Kentish Town Road, but I have managed to keep a loyal feeling for a very grubby high street.” He also praised Camden Council’s controversial controlled parking zone policy. It was expanded this year to include the streets surrounding his home where he has lived for the past 25 years. Describing the CPZ he said: “It’s the best thing to happen to Kentish Town. All the interlopers, the commuters, who park here to take the trains have gone – and about time. Our streets are quieter in the mornings because of it.” And his advice for car drivers? “On your bike,” he said. He said: “When I hear people moan about parking tickets I throw my hands up – instead of paying a £50 fine, I suggest they could have taken that money and bought themselves a bike.” And he backs the council plans to spend cash on the lights and the pavements. He said: “I am very keen on it being refurbished.” “It’s got grotty and we deserve better.” |
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