A new space for more al fresco dining in South End Green

• TURNING South End Green into a “streatery” may have been triggered by the response to the pandemic this time but, in reality, it is the latest of many attempts over the years to make the green a recreational area by dispensing with the designated bus stands and relocating the 24 and 168 stands to busy streets nearby, (Street eats get the thumbs up but old 168 bus row rumbles on, August 21).

The last attempt was in 2005 when the 24 bus stand was being repaired and the stand was relocated for five months to the top end of Fleet Road.

Various groups sought to make the move permanent by asking Camden for a public consultation. I became involved in an action group and we successfully fought off the proposal.

At least back then Camden gave us several weeks’ warning and there was a debate about whether to hold a public consultation. This time residents and traders on Fleet Road haven’t been so lucky.

The 168 bus stand and additional 24 stand arrived for up to 18 months before we were notified and a decision to hold a consultation has already been made without any reference to us.

In 2005 a member of one of the groups tried to justify moving the buses by telling us that the houses along Fleet Road aren’t very nice anyway so why did it matter.

It matters because Fleet Road is already the most congested road in the area. Three buses run along Fleet Road – the 24, C11 and 46 – and ambulances use Fleet Road to get to A&E at the Royal Free.

The goods entrance to Marks & Spencer is next to the temporary 168 bus stand and delivery lorries start arriving at 5am. There is also the constant noise from the hospital generator.

The streatery may improve custom for two or three restaurants and cafés on the slip road where the 168 usually stands but South End Green already has several outside eateries, and businesses along Fleet Road will be losing trade because customers can’t park.

Fleet Road has been through five months of all the extra noise and disruption of having a bus stand already. That trial was well documented by the council and it was proven to fail.

The proposal to hold a public consultation about making the 24 bus stand on Fleet Road permanent was rejected by a sub-committee in July 2005 for good reasons which still stand.

Congesting the busiest road in the area and making people’s lives intolerable isn’t a solution.

TAHIR NAWAZ
Fleet Road, NW3