The diggers in Queen’s Crescent

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QUEEN’S Crescent has become “an eyesore” due to ongoing road works which some traders and residents say won’t be worth the wait.

Contractors began digging up the market street on January 6 as part of the council’s improvements works.

The kerb will be replaced – including a white wavy line design on the pavement – and planters installed.

Resident Julietta Cochrane said: “It’s hugely disruptive to the market and the shops. The market can to a certain extent move around but it’s an eyesore and it’s just not a pleasant environment.

“The council came up with their final plan in August and it started three weeks later and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

She said the first phase of the works between Weedington Road and Allcroft Road had already taken 160 days to complete last year. The current works are scheduled for completion by March.

“There’s been endless consultation but the final plan was just dropped and that was it. Nobody knows how long it will go on for,” said Ms Cochrane.

“They’ve had a lot of this imported granite which they’re storing on Bassett Street which is about 40 yards of fenced-off area.

“They’ve now peeled off another 25 yards on Queen’s Crescent outside Franks and put more granite blocks there.

“This has been touted as a historic street and it’s the oldest market in London. To suddenly modernise it in this way, it hasn’t been thought out.”

Aftab Khan who works at Crescent Supermarket said: “No one knows really knows what the contractors are doing because it’s ‘top secret Camden Council’. It will hurt a lot of businesses. They haven’t consulted us.”

Andrew Dow, another resident, said: “The worst thing is no one knows when they are going to pitch their tents and when they’re going to be there and for how long. Will these improvements actually have a positive impact on the area?

“It’s under this rather nebulous phrase ‘improvement’. If you look at what the market was 20 years ago compared to what it was today it’s gone backwards. I think it’s over-interference from Camden.”

Tom Young, a market trader who sells bread, said: “It is taking a long time to execute and in the process making the Crescent into a shambles.”

Labour councillor Adam Harrison

Environment chief Labour councillor Adam Harrison said:  “Local residents have waited a long time for the investment in Queen’s Crescent and I am glad we are building the improvements for this important neighbourhood street.

“Unfortunately, there is disruption while works take place, but the end result will be a more pedestrian-friendly place that has extra lighting, wider pavements, new trees, greenery and improved market facilities.

“Since last summer, the council team have kept residents and businesses up to date as the works progress with regular leaflet drops to more than 7,000 local addresses along with information sessions, a dedicated webpage, posters in the local area, an information stall on Queen’s Crescent market and speaking with the local tenants’ and residents’ associations.”