Tree downed across carriageway on Charlotte Street

A London plane tree came down across the carriageway blocking the road in Charlotte Street near the junction of Goodge Street on the night of Wednesday 26 September.

Reports received by The Fitzrovia News is that the 15 metre tall street tree came down diagonally across the road completely blocking the carriageway at around 10.30pm, 25 September. Police were on the scene before 11pm and taped off the road.

There is an unconfirmed report of damage to a motor vehicle. There have been no reports of any injuries to people.

It is not known whether the tree, which is owned by the London Borough of Camden, fell due to weather conditions, or if it was struck by a vehicle, or due to another cause.

Emergency work was carried out overnight to chainsaw the tree into pieces to clear the carriageway. However, the very large tree is currently stored on the northbound lane and on top of the London Transport cycle hire docking station on Charlotte Street.

There is damage to the west side footway along Charlotte Street and possible damage to underground cables which are visible.

As of 7.30am Thursday morning access to the north bound lane of the carriageway on Charlotte Street north of the junction with Goodge Street is blocked making a left turn from Goodge Street difficult of perhaps impossible.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area due to the lane closure.

According to Camden Council’s tree database the London plane, which is also known as a hybrid plane (Platanus x hispanica), was 15 metres tall with a spread of eight metres and had a capital value of £27,348 when it was last inspected in July 2022.