CEC invited Future Transport London to a meeting to discuss the Camden Highline. What we learned was very concerning. This was summarised in our letter to the CNJ published 25th April:
“Camden Council needs to think for itself about how to reduce carbon emissions and other forms of ecological harm. Unfortunately, the evidence is that they are not able or willing to do this. Examples of their lack of strategic planning include support of the Camden Highline project, which is in direct opposition to Network Rail’s plans for improving the reliability and resilience of the rail freight network in London, important for reducing carbon emissions and air pollution. Network Rail’s London Rail Freight Strategy plans to bring back into use the 3rd track for the North London Line, on the same bit of infrastructure that the Highline would use. Camden should be opposing the Highline development which is a private project intended to boost the tourist trade in Camden Town without any significant public benefits (who wants to walk along York Way to get to Kings Cross?). The Camden Highline is a faux ‘green’ project reminiscent of the infamous Garden Bridge. We understand that Camden Council have diverted £400,000 of Section 106 monies from the Kings Cross development, which was intended to improve local bus services, to help fund the Highline project, which is not in the public interest.“
climateemergencycamden.org 