Lifestyle

Central London neighbourhood to get ‘mind-blowingly good’ upgrade for cyclists

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Holborn Circus in Central London, with a row of Santander rental cycles in the foreground and construction work going on in the background under a blue sky.
Holborn is set to get a major upgrade (Picture: Getty Images)

A central London neighborhood is getting a major makeover to make its streets safer and easier to navigate for cyclists and pedestrians.

Camden Council has revealed the ambitious plans under its Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood scheme to boost walking and cycling and create better public spaces, building on London’s wider commitment to sustainable travel.

Transport for London (TfL) has already demonstrated significant progress this year by introducing 51 kilometres of new cycle lanes and installing over 1,600 bike parking spaces within the city.

Building on this momentum, Camden Council’s project focuses on an extensive network of streets, including Bedford Place, Bloomsbury Way, Great Ormond Street, High Holborn, Kingsway, New Oxford Street, and Southampton Row.

The plans have been described as ‘mind-blowingly good’ by London Cycling Campaign, a charity that aims to make cycling in London safer and more accessible.

Theobalds Road Our new ideas Adding segregated cycle lanes for safer cycling between Southampton Row and Gray?s Inn Road in both directions Widening the pavements wherever possible to give more space to pedestrians including outside 25-47 which also has space for more plants, trees and seating Adding new trees wherever possible for more shade and planting along the road to separate people from traffic Improving road safety with coloured junctions and crossings also making the area more pedestrian friendly Creating a new pocket park on Harper Street with seating and opportunities for children to have space to play Highlighting pedestrian priority with raised crossing points on the side roads Spotlighting the library by adding patterned paving outside. We could also add specially designed seating with play opportunities, cycle storage plus trees for shade.
Theobalds Road is one of many areas getting new cycle lanes as part of the plan (Picture: Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood)
Museum Street Our new ideas Creating a space which makes it easy for pedestrians to reach the British Museum. This includes pedestrianising the area between Little Russell Street and Bloomsbury Way Adding trees and planting which frame the view towards the British Museum Adding seating, new lighting and high quality materials throughout. Creating space outside the businesses for outdoor dining and where people can still easily pass by Building a new zebra crossing to help people move across Little Russell Street
Parts of Museum Street will be pedestrianised (Picture: Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood)

Key proposals for the Holborn upgrade

Central elements of the proposals incorporate pedestrianisation, dedicated cycle lanes, and improved public spaces aimed at reducing vehicle traffic and pollution levels.

For example:

  • Great Russell Street: Potential full pedestrianisation between Museum Street and Montague Street to create vibrant, seated public areas conducive to local business activity.
  • Great Ormond Street: Proposed conversion to one-way westbound traffic, accompanied by widened pavements to prioritise pedestrian movement.
  • New Oxford Street: Adding trees, plants and seating with two different paths — a direct route through the space and a second winding path to enjoy the planting.
Great Ormond Street Our new ideas Changing the street to one way westbound except for ambulances which could travel in both directions to enter the hospital Creating a new green space for play and socialising with new trees, planting and seating Adding new rain gardens (areas of planting that soak up rainwater and help prevent local flooding) Relaying the pavement to get rid of trip hazards and make the surface easier to use Building two new zebra crossings - one in front of the entrance to the hospital and one at the junction with Lamb?s Conduit Street New feature lighting and the potential for a decorative water feature
Pedestrians will be prioritised in the new plans for Great Ormond Street (Picture: Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood)
New Oxford Street Our new ideas Creating a brand new space for people and nature in the heart of central London Adding new trees, plants, and space for people to stop and enjoy with seating throughout Two different paths for people to take - a direct route through the space and a second winding path to enjoy the planting Space for businesses to have outdoor dining while still leaving space for people to pass by Possible space for a kiosk serving food and drinks New high quality materials, lighting and a coloured surface material at the junction to improve road safety and make the space more pedestrian friendly Creating opportunities for children to play in the space
Seating, plants and two separate paths will be added to New Oxford Street (Picture: Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood)

These modifications are expected to deliver tangible environmental benefits, including cleaner air quality, increased greenery, and enhanced urban accessibility.

A distinct element is the ‘Healthy Hospital Street’ initiative centred on Great Ormond Street. This concept aspires to establish a calmer, more welcoming street environment to benefit hospital visitors and staff, recognising the particular needs of this medical hub within Holborn.

The initiative builds on previously completed ‘STARter’ projects that addressed junction safety at Gray’s Inn Road, Theobalds Road, and Clerkenwell Road.

If fully implemented, the Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood project could significantly strengthen London’s reputation as a globally leading cycling city, promoting liveability and encouraging sustainable modes of travel in one of its busiest central districts.

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