Queen’s Crescent

• IT is four years since Camden stopped a local voluntary organisation from managing what was a thriving venue with some 50-60 market stalls on a Saturday.

The picture of a bus driving down Queen’s Crescent last Saturday says it all. On the last three market days we have had a total of just 20 stalls, an average of less than seven.

In May 2016 a council report incorporating the views of almost 1,000 people identified the redevelopment of the crescent as the major priority.

Then in February 2018 the council secured a grant of £1.1million for capital works for the crescent and held two more consultations. These two reports have never seen the light of day. Are they to be ditched like that of May 2016?

Since the council took over the mismanagement of the market we have seen the crescent slide into a drug dealers’ paradise with flagrant on street dealing and consumption mixed with anti-social behaviour.

It appears that the “solution” is yet more council consultations in the autumn. Perhaps Camden could let us know why we should waste our time, yet again, giving our views when these are blatantly ignored.

Perhaps a better approach would be for residents to write to the GLA and suggest that the £1.1million should be transferred to a youth violence programme. It could be suggested the council has obtained the £1.1million under false pretences.

GOSPEL OAK RESIDENT