The idea
The Camden Highline – a new public park, a 0.8km garden walk, 18 metres wide, and 8 metres high, on a disused elevated railway line would create a new type of green infrastructure for walking and cycling, and link Camden Town to King’s Cross by a 10-minute walk.
We need to show the people that matter, that this is a project that Camden really wants to make happen, and we can’t do this on our own!
We’re carrying out this crowdfunding campaign to take the project to the next stage. This means carrying out more detailed feasibility work, which includes understanding the existing condition of the infrastructure including site appraisals and surveys.
The campaign will also help pay for exhibitions, events and workshops that will guide the project. This project needs your help to form its aims and ambitions!
That's where YOU come in! We need your backing to turn this idea into a reality!
What we'll deliver
- Set up a community organisation that will deliver the Camden Highline
- Carry out a publicity campaign to promote the project
- Run events and workshops to guide the project
- Carry out a week-long exhibition to highlight the benefits of the project
- Carry out pre-development work including site appraisal and surveys
- Produce more detailed visuals and a scale model of the route
- Create a roadmap from conception to completion with more accurate costs and timelines
Why it's a great idea
Transforming a disused piece of infrastructure into a public park comes with many benefits. Together we can create a new type of green infrastructure, a source of civic pride that brings health, culture and business benefits, and celebrates Camden and King's Cross' industrial past.
The Camden Highline will be a vibrant open public space, accessible to everyone, and completely free... It will create environmental and education benefits and opportunities for participating in a new public space that enables arts, festivals and live performance to take place.
The project has been backed local residents, businesses, community groups and politicians who have all welcomed the idea!
Since we announced plans for the Camden Highline, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm! Hundreds of people have pledged their support, local and national media have covered the project, and a survey run by the Kentishtowner found 9 out of 10 were 'super excited' by the idea!
Steps to get it done
- Hit the crowdfunding target – celebrate!
- Set up the organisation that would deliver the Camden Highline
- Tender and appoint consultants to carry out the work described above
- Carry out a publicity and promotional campaign
- Host and run targeted community workshops and events to encourage participation of people we haven’t yet reached
- Carry out a week-long exhibition
- Complete pre-development site appraisal and surveys
- Act upon the recommendations for next steps...
When will it open? How much will it cost?
We don’t know! One of the pieces of work this crowdfunding campaign will pay for is to help answer these types of questions. We’ll get a roadmap to completion with more accurate costs and timelines.
Why is the Camden Highline temporary?
Network Rail own the infrastructure the Camden Highline would use and they may need it back at an unknown point in the future. We wouldn’t put our time, money and ask you for help, if we didn’t think the project was worthwhile! (We’ve been likening the ‘temporary’ description of the Camden Highline, to the ‘temporary’ London Eye!)
What are you going to pay for?
We believe in the project, which is why we’re going to match the crowd’s contribution 50/50 during the campaign (i.e. circa £20k of the £40k) which we'll put in at the start.
This is the first campaign, and the start of an exciting journey! Let's make the Camden Highline a reality!
