• THE increasingly desperate attempt by Camden Council to get approval for its Gospel Oak road closures continues.

At 4pm on July 14 a small group of very senior council staff, accompanied by a local councillor, assembled in secret at the east end of the Queen’s Crescent.

This “visit” had not been made public.

The briefing of some of the group seemed to have been somewhat lacking, as at least one member seems to have been unaware that the food bank run by Queen’s Crescent Community Association was about to close because of the traffic restrictions and the reimposition of rent by the council.

The secrecy of the visit did not last long as large numbers of very angry shopkeepers, residents, and people with disabilities, gathered round the officers.

The councillor, who is to be commended for her “bravery”, has produced a report of people’s views. We welcome its speedy publication.

This should counter those of her councillor colleague who apparently claims that all Queen’s Crescent businesses support the scheme and those that do not have been “threatened”.

The overwhelming demand seems to have been to scrap the scheme.

Complaints about the secret processes that led to the present situation were countered with “we are where we are”.

At the beginning of the visit I showed the group one of the two sets of rising traffic bollards installed by the council at one of the earlier “regenerations” some 20 years ago. These cost an estimated £250,000 but never worked. Are we in for a repetition?

The glimmer of hope is that the senior officer did, under pressure, agree to a meeting. She was reminded that at the last meeting council officers had not allowed businesses to speak. Hopefully this will not be repeated.

MICK FARRANT, NW5