Covent Garden traffic management scheme enters final consultation

Westminster City Council and London Borough of Camden are working in partnership on a new initiative aimed at reducing air pollution from road use. 

Covent Garden’s Neighbourhood Traffic Management (NTM) scheme, which was introduced under an Experimental Traffic Order (ETO) in December 2021 has now entered the final stage of its consultation process, with visitors, residents and businesses invited to give feedback until 16th December 2022. 

Now in its eleventh month of operation, so far the project has offered some impressive results. These include an increase in cycle use across the district by between 15 and 30%, 40-60% fall in traffic levels (depending on time of day) compared with 2019, and 10-25% reduction up against figures for November 2021. 

In terms of public response, 76% of those who have provided input believe walking is now safer and easier as a result of the NTM scheme. Meanwhile, 75% say that air quality should be improved due to these measures, which have made the are more pleasant to spend time in overall. The final stage of public consultation, during which further feedback is welcome, began last week.

‘We continue to work across Camden to develop safe and healthy streets. This joint scheme with Westminster highlights the benefits of partnership working for all residents, businesses and visitors. In Seven Dials, and across the iconic Covent Garden, we have been testing a series of changes since last year in response to the challenges that you have been telling us about,’ said Cllr Adam Harrison, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden at the London Borough of Camden. 

‘These include reducing the number of motor vehicles that use the area as a ‘rat run’, therefore improving Covent Garden for pedestrians and cyclists,’ he continued. ‘In Camden, we have now also built on this trial with an aim of improving the Seven Dials area even more and would like you to have your say and share your views on a series of suggested improvements at the corner of Monmouth Street and Tower Street, including a cycle route, new paving, trees, seating and planting.’

Westminster City Council has made significant progress in tackling air pollution, and earlier this year launched an online portal for residents to check real-time air quality data. Last year, Camden made Air Quality News headlines by securing what was then the world’s densest network of air pollution sensors. 

Image: Westminster City Council