Camden Town CA-F Controlled Parking Zone

Overview

We want our streets to have more safe space for everyone to walk and cycle, for children to get to and from school safely and healthily, for businesses to be able to flourish, to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles and for you to be breathing cleaner air.

We want our streets to provide a lasting legacy of greener, safer, healthier travel.

As 69% of households in Camden do not own a car and public transport use remains much lower than before the pandemic, we know that safe and easy walking, cycling and scooting routes are more important than ever. Supporting and encouraging those who are able to walk and cycle, by creating safer streets, will ensure that there is more space available on public transport and on our roads for those who need it the most.

In October 2024, we introduced longer weekday and weekend parking controls in CA-F(n) sub-zone within Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) CA-F (Camden Town). These changes were made as a trial, under an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO), following a consultation which took place in May/June 2023.

We are now consulting on proposals to make these trial changes to the hours of control, permanent, in CA-F(n). We are also seeking views on any other changes stakeholders may feel are required elsewhere in CA-F.

These proposals are based on the initial consultation responses, feedback received during the trial period, and relevant policies. The proposed changes are aimed at protecting the existing parking provision for permit holders and to discourage inessential car journeys to the area by providing less parking opportunities for non-permit holders.

About Camden Town CA-F (n) trial scheme changes

A study we carried out in 2019, to determine how CPZ reviews should be prioritised based on the current Camden Transport Strategy objectives, recommended extending the existing parking controls in CA-F to meet transport strategy objectives and to respond to the impacts of the night time economy. Specifically, it suggested that the hours of operation in CA-F(n) should be increased to match CA-F(nw). This study was updated following the pandemic, in 2022, and continued to recommend such changes for CA-F(n).  In addition to this, some residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour occurring in certain streets within CA-F(n), accompanied by requests to extend the CPZ hours to discourage those engaging in such behaviour from parking in the area.

A public consultation was undertaken in May / June 2023. The aim of the consultation was to seek stakeholders’ views on the controlled hours of operation of the CA-F CPZ and possible extensions.

Map of CA-F controlled parking zone (showing sub-zones)

After the consultation, the following changes were introduced in October 2024 in CA-F(n) subzone.:

• The extension of the weekday parking controls in paid for parking bays, permit holder bays (including resident bays), shared use bays, and single yellow lines from 8:30am – 6:30pm to 8:30am – 11:00pm, using an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) for up to a maximum of 18 months

• The introduction of 24-hour Saturday and Sunday controls in resident bays only using an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) for up to a maximum of 18 months

• The extension of the Saturday and Sunday parking controls from 9:30am – 5:30pm to 9:30pm –11:00pm in permit holder bays, shared use bays, paid for parking bays, and single yellow lines using an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) for up to a maximum of 18 months

Controls in the remainder of the CA-F CPZ were maintained as set out below:

CA-F (nw) subzone:

•    8:30am -11:00pm, Monday to Friday and 9.30am – 11.00pm on weekends.

CA-F (s) subzone:

• 8:30am - 6:30pm on weekdays, 9:30am – 5:30pm on Saturdays and 9:30am – 5:30pm on Sundays in resident bays only.

A copy of the decision report can be viewed on our website.

Feedback during the Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) Statutory Objections Period

There were 27 responses received during the statutory ETO objections period. Of these, 24 were objections. Reasons given for objections included: 

• Concerns about parking access for visitors, including individuals who are unable to travel by public transport. 
• Impact of longer controls on the ability of nighttime workers and musicians to travel to and from the area 
• The consultation process and supporting evidence 
• Concerns about the changes contributing to anti-social behaviour 
• Current parking restrictions work well  
• The area is not impacted by those visiting Camden Town (it is not close enough for this); 
• Potential negative impacts on local businesses by reduced visitor footfall 
• Potential negative impacts on safety at night, including for women, as a result of not being able to park close to destinations 
• Concerns about financial impacts of changes 

Other comments received included: 

• The extended controls are a revenue raising measure 
• A request for longer hours of control to be introduced in Oakley Square in (CA-F (s) due to its proximity to the high street and Koko.
• A question about whether Civil Enforcement Officers would enforce the proposed extension of parking control hours.

These objections and comments will be fully considered, alongside responses to this consultation, in the decision report that will follow.   

Some of the respondents raised concerns about the impact of the dockless bike hire bays on Hadley Street.  These are out of the scope of this consultation and have been passed on to the relevant officers to consider. 

The feedback received through the Commonplace webpage totalled 93 submissions, with respondents able to indicate more than one sentiment about the trial. Across all comments, there were 120 positive responses and 50 negative responses.

The positive responses highlighted several perceived improvements. Many respondents felt that traffic levels had reduced, and that fewer cars were parking during controlled hours. Several people noted that it was easier to park, that air quality seemed better, and that antisocial behaviour linked to parking had decreased. Others commented that the changes encouraged them to walk or cycle more, and a small number reported a favourable impression of the scheme’s impact on local businesses since the changes were introduced or that they enjoyed spending more time in the CA-F area.

Respondents who selected ‘mostly negative’ also raised concerns.  The negative responses focused mainly on the extended hours of control, which residents felt would make it more difficult for them and their visitors to access destinations freely and to find parking close to where they need to be. Some respondents also felt that parking conditions had not improved. Others noted that the changes had negatively affected their business, that air quality had not improved, or that they were now required to pay to park when they had not previously needed to do so.  

What are we now consulting on?

Considering the feedback received from residents and stakeholders from the initial consultation, during the trial period, and our policies and objectives set out in our Camden Transport Strategy, Clean Air Strategy and Climate Action Plan, we are now consulting on the following proposals in CA-F(n) subzone   :

•  Making permanent the weekday parking controls in paid for parking bays, permit holder bays (including resident bays), shared use bays, and single yellow lines from 8:30am – 6:30pm to 8:30am – 11:00pm

•  Making permanent the 24-hour Saturday and Sunday controls in resident bays only

•  Making permanent the experimental (trial) scheme of extended Saturday and Sunday controls in permit holder bays, shared use bays, paid for parking bays, and single yellow lines (9:30am – 11:00pm)

We are also asking for any other ideas you may have for the parking controls in all of CA-F controlled parking zone.

No parking spaces will be removed as part of these recommendations.

When the consultation is concluded, a report detailing its outcome and recommendations will be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden for a decision.  The recommendations will consider the consultation responses, feedback received during the trial (including objections during the statutory consultation period of the trial), relevant policies, monitoring data, and other data/information.  Local residents and stakeholders will be notified of the outcome, and the report will be published on the council website.

For information on how we will use data collected from this consultation read our privacy statement: Data protection, privacy and cookies - Camden Council

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