• READERS of the CNJ should be aware: Camden Council has drawn up plans to radically change the face of Bloomsbury.

You almost certainly will know little about it.

The changes are to the detriment of local businesses and residents in favour of the tourists who are already beginning to dominate the area around the British Museum rather than be part of it.

A restriction to through traffic along Great Russell Street? Yes, if it is possible; relatively cheap and easy and doesn’t alter the historic streetscape. I suggested such a scheme 20 years ago to Camden.

Pedestrianisation? No, because it changes the economy drastically, replaces acceptable traffic noise with amplified buskers; and costs the earth, fancy paving only to be dug up to replace services within a month or two.

In Camden’s now usual mode of “consultation” the public have a very short period to comment; residents and businesses have a fortnight to respond (by pressing emoji buttons on the website) and the process ends on March 22.

No doubt there will be enough “like” emojis from non-residents for Camden to agree to go ahead. Unless there is a reaction to the madness.

But if the parking debacle is anything to go by, councillors will ignore critical comment, fail to respond to constituents’ communications, and simply go ahead.

On motorcycle parking charges – £600 a year if you live and work elsewhere in the borough – Labour councillors have clearly been instructed not to respond to anyone; the only emails I’ve received have been from Liberal Democrat councillors.

It is a sad day when a Labour council reduces the basic principle of genuine consultation to tick boxes on an ill-advertised website (no address provided, simply “click here”).

BRIAN LAKE
Jarndyce Booksellers, WC1