Camden Council is consulting on new plans for Queen’s Crecent

• THE story about Camden’s proposals (Queen’s Crescent set to be blocked off to cars, February 4) started in 2016 when the umpteenth consultation report on the future of Gospel Oak identified regeneration of the crescent as the major priority, above even homes.

While this report was ditched, council officers applied successfully for a £1.1million grant from the GLA, received in February 2018.

The money was only for capital works, but was welcomed by all concerned. Since then we have had four or five more consultations to get to the current situation.

We understand the council is required to start spending the money by the end of this March, or give it back. Thus we have the rushed plan to spend what is left of the £1.1million, no doubt less huge fees paid to consultants.

It was reported that the council spent over £200,000 on rising traffic bollards which never worked over two decades ago, a part of a previous capital works plan. Perhaps the council can clarify these financial matters.

We surely need a plan for the future of the crescent. Retail and workshops, for example, and the views of the traders on their business plans before embarking on yet more capital spending.

Many shopkeepers are angry that they have not been consulted on the proposals and say it will seriously disrupt business.

Over the three years some of the grant could have been spent on repairing pavements, potholes, and blocked drains. Pedestrianisation may be a “good thing” for the crescent, but is now the time for it?

At least officers have been forced to extend the consultation period. The closing date is now February 24.

MICK FARRANT, NW5