Camden Council does not measure the carbon footprint of its highway alterations which are carried out continuously in the Borough, eg. putting in traffic islands and railings and taking them out again. Highway works have a large carbon footprint because of the amount of cement that its used (8% of global carbon dioxide emissions), the heavy machinery required and the manufacture and production of new components, often imported. Material use in Highway works should be minimised through careful design and existing components re-used.
The following is a diary of recent works in Queens Crescent, where no consideration has been given to environmental damage, locally or globally. All the work shown is for the purpose of setting some decorative granite kerbs into the roadway, and is completely unnecessary.
Queens Crescent has been closed to traffic using temporary components which are now being thrown away. The current works at Queens Crescent could and should have been done in a similar minimal way, retaining the flexibility of future use. The amount of work is disproportionate, and will probably be undone in 20 years time. These works replace the refurbishment and alterations carried out in 2000-05.
17th August 2024: works begin moving the drains in order to narrow the roadway in front of the library:
25th August 2024: cutting up the road to put in new granite kerbs:
13th September 2024: bringing in new granite kerbs imported from Portugal:
Displacing local wildlife as reported in a letter to the Camden New Journal:
One of the heavy vehicles which has driven into Queens Crescent to remove waste materials:
A large amount of energy was used cutting through the concrete road base, resulting in carbon dioxide emissions from the machinery used (causing climate change) as well as dust and noise (harmful to local people).
Very little thought has been give to the businesses in Queens Crescent, many of which sell food.
16th September 2024: removal of the old granite kerbs which have been part of Queen Crescent for the past 100 years.
19th September 2024: more excavation preparing for ‘decorative granite kerbs’.
21st September 2024: more granite kerbs have arrived from Portugal, hewn from a hillside with damage to local wildlife. The importation of granite also causes carbon dioxide emissions due to the machinery used, and the transport by ship, train and heavy good lorry.
The waste of materials, carbon dioxide emissions and money, together with the disruption to local people and businesses who rely on the Crescent, is unacceptable. Did anyone within Camden Council attempt to quantify the impact on local people, global warming or biodiversity in Portugal, or to guide the design to be more environmentally responsible? Or did they just look at the pretty pictures when they reviewed the design?
No wonder the workmen look so glum at the prospect of having to spend so much time and effort on such a futile scheme- mindless squiggles in massive granite blocks.
151 Queens Crescent in 1955, with simple paving and original granite kerbs.
Queens Crescent 1968
The decorative granite kerbs are going to be a hindrance when utility companies need to lay new services, which happens regularly. Simplicity is best for future adaptability. This is a working street, not the plaything of Camden Council. As one trader remarked, the estimated one year construction period is ‘too much time’.
27th September 2024: excavation outside the entrance to the old people’s home above the library.
28th September 2024: now a big hole, maybe for an additional drain?
One of the many service ducts running from the road into the properties on Queen’s Crescent. These are are about to have massive granite blocks plonked on top of them. This is going to cause havoc. The ‘designer’ will probably have to change the granite squiggle in this location- the ducts look too high to accommodate them. Or relay the duct. What a daft idea!
9th October 2024: Lots of people and vehicles on site this morning to set out the granite kerbs. Let’s hope that the end result improves trade for the fishmonger.
4th November 2024: the works drag on, now over a month late.
We got fed up with these squiggles a long time. Now they have been set into the ground in massive granite blocks, like something from the West End.
12th November 2024: still at it
18th November 2024:
21st November 2024: Camden Council realise that they need to engage with shopkeepers who are suffering from reduced custom and are laying off staff.
28th November 2024: Despite the concern the work still drags on at a very slow rate. Today there are only two people on site.
November 2025: The Friends of Queen’s Crescent have written to the RNIB asking them to investigate the hazardous conditions for partially sighted people:
West Kentish Town 