Key Points
- Camden Council has announced the full closure of Charlotte Street to all carriageway traffic between Goodge Street and Percy Street for resurfacing works.
- The closures will occur over two weekends: Saturday 28 February 2026 to Sunday 1 March 2026, and Saturday 7 March 2026 to Sunday 8 March 2026.
- Works are scheduled from 8am to 6pm each day during these periods.
- Parking suspensions will be in effect from 8am to 5pm on all four days, as indicated by yellow warning notices.
- Vehicle diversions will be implemented, but access to narrow surrounding streets such as Windmill Street, Rathbone Street, and Percy Street will be extremely difficult.
- The announcement was made via a letter sent to residents this month by Camden Council.
- Completion of works is expected by 7 March 2026, ahead of the second weekend’s final day.
Camden, London (North London News) February 20, 2026 – Camden Council has confirmed that Charlotte Street will be closed to all carriageway traffic between Goodge Street and Percy Street for two consecutive weekends to carry out essential resurfacing works, as detailed in a letter dispatched to local residents earlier this month.
- Key Points
- What are the exact dates and times of the Charlotte Street closure?
- Why is Camden Council closing Charlotte Street for resurfacing?
- How will traffic diversions work during the closures?
- What impact will parking suspensions have on residents?
- Which streets will face the most access difficulties?
- What has Camden Council communicated to residents?
- How does this fit into Camden’s broader road maintenance plans?
- What alternatives are available for commuters?
- What should residents do to prepare?
- Will the works cause long-term disruption?
The council’s communication outlines a precise schedule to minimise prolonged disruption while ensuring the road’s surface is renewed. This intervention addresses wear and tear on one of central London’s key thoroughfares, frequented by residents, workers, and visitors in the bustling Fitzrovia area.
What are the exact dates and times of the Charlotte Street closure?
The resurfacing works on Charlotte Street are set to commence on 28 February 2026 and are projected to conclude by 7 March 2026, according to the official letter from Camden Council. As stated directly in the council’s missive to residents,
“These works are scheduled to commence on 28 February 2026 and are expected to be completed by 7 March 2026.”
The closures will affect weekends specifically, with operations running daily from 8am to 6pm. This timing aligns with Camden Council’s standard approach to highway maintenance, prioritising off-peak hours to reduce impact on daily commuters. Yellow warning notices further specify parking suspensions from 8am to 5pm on Saturday 28 February, Sunday 1 March, Saturday 7 March, and Sunday 8 March.
No extensions are anticipated, with the council emphasising efficiency in the letter. Residents have been advised to plan ahead, particularly those relying on the street for access.
Why is Camden Council closing Charlotte Street for resurfacing?
Camden Council initiated these works to resurface the carriageway, tackling deterioration from heavy traffic and urban wear in this high-traffic zone near Tottenham Court Road and Soho. The letter to residents underscores the necessity of these interventions for road safety and longevity, though specific triggers like pothole reports or structural assessments were not detailed in the public notice.
As a densely populated borough, Camden routinely schedules such maintenance to prevent larger-scale disruptions. The choice of weekends reflects a balance between thorough execution—requiring full road possession—and limiting weekday chaos in an area teeming with offices, shops, and media firms.
Local authorities have faced criticism in past projects for similar works spilling over, but here the council commits to a tight timeline. The letter serves as the primary source, with no additional council press release located across monitored outlets as of this reporting.
How will traffic diversions work during the closures?
Diversions will be clearly signposted to redirect traffic around the affected section of Charlotte Street, from Goodge Street in the south to Percy Street in the north. Camden Council’s letter assures that alternative routes will guide vehicles away from the worksite, though it warns of challenges ahead.
Access by motor vehicle to adjacent narrow streets—namely Windmill Street, Rathbone Street, and Percy Street—will be very difficult over the two weekends. These side roads, characteristic of Fitzrovia’s tight Georgian layout, often struggle with increased volumes during main road closures. Drivers are urged to avoid the area if possible, favouring public transport or cycling.
The council has not specified exact diversion paths in the letter, but standard protocols in Camden typically route traffic via broader arteries like Tottenham Court Road, Euston Road, or Oxford Street. Emergency services access will be maintained, as per borough policy.
What impact will parking suspensions have on residents?
Yellow warning notices detail parking suspensions from 8am to 5pm across the four closure days, directly overlapping with works hours. This measure clears the carriageway for machinery and ensures worker safety, as outlined in Camden Council’s communications.
Residents on Charlotte Street and immediate approaches must relocate vehicles beforehand, with no on-street parking permitted during these windows. The notices, a common precursor to council works, provide advance warning—typically two weeks—to allow planning. Alternative parking in Camden’s controlled zones may incur fees or require permits, adding pressure in this residential-commercial mix.
The suspensions extend slightly shorter than works (ending at 5pm versus 6pm), offering a brief evening reprieve, but Sunday restrictions could inconvenience weekend routines.
Which streets will face the most access difficulties?
The council’s letter highlights Windmill Street, Rathbone Street, and Percy Street as particularly affected, due to their narrow widths and reliance on Charlotte Street for entry. These streets form a warren of creative studios, eateries, and homes, where even standard traffic causes queues.
Percy Street, marking the northern closure point, may see tailbacks from northbound traffic seeking shortcuts. Windmill and Rathbone, to the east, often serve as rat-runs; with Charlotte blocked, congestion could spill into Newman Street or Berners Street.
Residents and businesses here should anticipate delays, with the letter advising against non-essential vehicle use. Pedestrian and cyclist access remains unaffected, preserving footfall to local independents.
What has Camden Council communicated to residents?
The primary announcement came via a letter sent to residents this month, as confirmed across initial reports. In it, Camden Council states:
“These works are scheduled to commence on 28 February 2026 and are expected to be completed by 7 March 2026.”
Further,
“The works will be carried out on weekends between the hours of 8am to 6pm.”
Yellow warning notices supplement this, detailing parking rules. No named council officer is quoted in the letter, but it bears official branding. As of 20 February 2026, no further updates appear on Camden’s highways page or social channels, suggesting the letter stands as the authoritative source.
This direct outreach exemplifies Camden’s resident-focused approach, contrasting with digital-only notices in some boroughs.
How does this fit into Camden’s broader road maintenance plans?
Camden Council maintains an extensive resurfacing programme amid London’s pothole crisis, with Charlotte Street’s works aligning to 2026 priorities. Similar weekend closures have targeted nearby roads like Gower Street in prior months, minimising economic hit.
The two-weekend split allows initial layers to cure before final surfacing, a technique ensuring durability under HGVs and buses. Budgets from Transport for London (TfL) partly fund such schemes, though Camden manages execution.
No resident backlash is reported yet, unlike contentious projects in Highgate. Monitoring groups like Fitzrovia News Blog may cover progress.
What alternatives are available for commuters?
TfL buses (e.g., 10, 24, 29, 73) servicing Charlotte Street will divert, with stops suspended—check TfL updates. Cycling via Quietways or Santander bikes offers viable options, with racks unaffected.
Walking remains straightforward, linking to Warren Street or Goodge Street stations. Remote workers or car clubs could ease pressure. Businesses eye delivery slots outside hours.
What should residents do to prepare?
Review the council letter and notices immediately; relocate cars to garages or outer zones. Notify deliveries and visitors of risks. Apps like Citymapper provide real-time diversions.
Report issues via Camden’s hotline (020 7974 4444). Community forums on Nextdoor or Fitzrovia Trust may share tips.
Will the works cause long-term disruption?
Camden Council anticipates completion by 7 March, pre-second weekend finale, barring weather delays—rain common in late winter. Post-works, a settling period ensures quality.
This proactive maintenance prevents emergency patches, safeguarding Charlotte Street’s role in N1’s ecosystem.
