Traffic

Since the demise of the Greater London Council in the mid 80s there has been no co-ordinated traffic plan or policy for the Covent Garden area. The CGCA has fought to get Camden and Westminster to jointly analyse the traffic movement in the area and to come up with joint proposals to stop through traffic. It took 16 years and a huge erosion of the air quality and insufferable noise and congestion to eventually get both councils to commission a joint study and traffic restraint proposals, which was completed in September 1999. This report indicated that over 60% of vehicles using Covent Garden roads was through traffic.

The CGCA planning sub-committee organised a public meeting in March to which both Camden and Westminster Highway & Traffic engineers presented their proposals and answered questions; over 140 residents and businesses attended. It was apparent Camden was eager to proceed, whereas since the Soho road proposals having been scrapped due to the level of local opposition, Westminster are dragging their feet. However, undertakings have been given by both authorities that by July 2000 a joint report will be considered by both authorities, at which point meaningful restraining traffic proposals will hopefully be put into effect.

The CGCA will continue to monitor and endeavour to ensure local views and concerns are acknowledged by both authorities. It is likely the CGCA will organise a further public meeting in the Autumn.

Jim Monahan

 

[ Home | About | Advice | Cartoons | Contact | Gallery | Handbook | Links | News | Newsletters | Sponsors ]

Web site developed by Liam Delahunty of Mega Products Ltd.