Camden council consults on tube station upgrade plans

Camden council is holding a new round of consultations on its plans to upgrade the entrance to Camden Town tube station, in an effort to reduce congestion.

The latest consultation, which kicked off this week and will run until 18 August, is asking for the public’s views on the council’s proposals to create a new, second entrance and exit to the station, as well as building new escalators, step-free access from street to trains, and more space to change between trains.

Explaining its case for doing the work, the council said the number of people using the station was increasing – weekday demand had risen by 45% in the last decade.

“At peak times, congestion means it takes longer to enter, leave and change between trains.

“To manage this demand we regularly have to make the station exit-only, hold people outside the ticket hall and implement a one-way passenger system. If we do nothing, this will happen more often,” it added.

The council said a possible site for a new station entrance was Buck Street, between Camden High Street and Kentish Town Road, arguing this would provide more space, plus three new escalators and two lifts for passengers.

“Below ground there would be more circulation space to change between trains. In turn, this would allow future capacity expansion on the Northern line.

“A new second entrance would reduce walking distances between the station and the north part of Camden Town, including Camden Lock. The existing station entrance will remain open, both during construction and following the completion of the upgrade works,” it added.

During its 2015 consultation on the proposals, 95% of respondents agreed there was a need to create more space in the station, according to the council.