central london neighbourhood to get 'mind-blowingly good' upgrade for cyclists

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.

Camden's new plans for Holborn are mind-blowingly good: https://t.co/TMRbZYS7yLMajor changes for Theobalds Rd,Southampton Row,High Holborn & further afield. New Oxford Street & Great Ormond St plans look like big changes for better! Kudos Cllr @AdamDKHarrison 👏 pic.twitter.com/e7mgkR0yKr

— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) November 7,2025

Theobalds Road is one of many areas getting new cycle lanes as part of the plan (Picture: Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood)

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.

Pedestrians will be prioritised in the new plans for Great Ormond Street (Picture: Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood)

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.

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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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