• WE’RE writing in response to the report (Road closure trial ‘driving trade away’, November 11).

As a branch of the Labour Party we are very aware of the views expressed by Branco and other businesses about the Queen’s Crescent scheme and we support the case for Camden Council to offer a meaningful alternative to the current closure of the roads.

Over the last two months we have asked for the views of the residents of the streets and estates to the south of Queen’s Crescent, and our findings do not support those of Cllr Marcus Boyland expressed at the full council meeting.

We have spoken to nearly 200 residents and of those who noticed a significant impact 70 per cent found the changes to be for the worse. These are the residents who are most exposed to the problems of the changes.

Car ownership is very low in this area; however people who don’t own a car, including those who have mobility problems, report increased difficulty with deliveries, in accessing cabs, and with longer, more complex, journeys.

There is an increase in shunting and turning of cars and delivery vehicles in narrow residential streets not designed for such traffic levels; and there are concerns about security in the crescent at night because of the decreased presence of customers of the businesses. We support the case for Camden Council to offer a meaningful alternative to the scheme currently in place.

Those against the scheme are often very receptive to finding ways of calming and managing traffic and if such a proposal were put forward it would create an opportunity to bring the neighbourhood together.

We hope that residents and businesses will be given a real choice as part of the feedback and engagement described by Cllr Adam Harrison.

LINDY STACEY Chair
CHARLIE FORMAN Vice-Chair
Haverstock Branch
Labour Party – Supported by ward councillors