Public realm changes to Tottenham Street, Charlotte Street, Chitty Street, Scala Street, and Whitfield Street approved

Camden Council has approved plans for changes to the public realm to improve walking, wheeling and cycling in several Fitzrovia streets, despite concerns raised about loss of vehicle access to premises and loading.

Fitzrovia Area Safe and Healthy Streets Phase 2 was approved by Councillor James Slater, cabinet member for planning and a sustainable Camden, after a public consultation held earlier this year.

It will close part of Tottenham Street and Chitty Street to through motor traffic and remove a number of motor vehicle parking spaces, and add secure cycle parking.

According to the report on the decision, the scheme will make it make it “easier, safer and more accessible for people walking and wheeling to travel in and around the area” and provide more greenery by allocating space away from motor vehicle parking.

On Chitty Street the section between Charlotte Street and Charlotte Mews will be closed to motor traffic and will only be open to cyclists and pedestrians. Greenery and street art will be added and a raised carriageway table will be constructed at the junction with Whitfield Street.

Permeable paving (to allow better drainage) and new trees will be added on the section of Whitfield Street between Chitty Street and Tottenham Street.

At the eastern section of Tottenham Street a pedestrian and cycle-only zone will be created between Tottenham Court Road and Whitfield Street. And a new uncontrolled crossing at the western end of Tottenham Street would link Tottenham Mews and Goodge Place.

Scala Street will be converted to a one-way street westbound, while allowing cycling both ways; new trees will be planted, and public seating installed at the junction with Whitfield Street. All motor vehicle parking will be removed from the street.

Charlotte Street will have a new zebra crossing north of the junction with Chitty Street, and the junction with Scala Street will have raised a continuous footway.

Across the area new dockless cycle bays will be added and six new hangars to provide 36 secure, weather-protected cycle parking spaces for residents will be installed.

Eight new street trees will be planted.

Fourteen resident parking bays together with nine pay-to-park bays will be removed, and 4.8 metres of motorcycle parking would be removed.

While the “majority of consultation respondents supported the proposals”, states the report, a number of responses raised objections to the loss of loading for residents and businesses and complained it would make driving more difficult.

Concerns were also raised about the extra public seating attracting loitering and anti-social behaviour, and a number of respondents complained about dockless bikes blocking the pavements.

A consultation on a traffic management order (TMO) is due in October and the scheme is scheduled to be built by spring 2027.

Camden Council, decision details: Fitzrovia Area Safe and Healthy Streets Phase 2.

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