Councils will inject £60,000 to rejuvenate busy thoroughfare
Brent and Camden Councils are cooperating with residents on a new jointly funded initiative to regenerate Kilburn High Road.
Camden will invest up to £45,000 from the Innovation Demonstration Fund, and Brent will pledge £20,000 in order to bring new businesses, entrepreneurs, pop-up shops, as well as arts and community events to the empty units in the busy thoroughfare
Residents and local traders held a meeting with Hampstead and Kilburn MP Glenda Jackson last autumn and gave their views on what changes are necessary to make the area more attractive to visit.
Locals are also encouraged to become involved in a new town centre team which will hold discussions on how the area can be improved.
Mary Arnold, a councillor for Brent’s Kilburn ward, said: “This initiative responds to local people’s call for more diversity including cultural, arts and new business to increase the footfall.
“It creates the chance for local stakeholders to influence improvements through a new town team and I am optimistic this will increase the High Road’s popularity, with benefits for business, visitors and residents at large.’
Both councils are committed to improving road safety and accessibility through the Local Implementation Programme, especially on the corner with Quex Road and Willesden Lane which are accident hotspots, and have claimed lives.
Plans also include opening a local credit union in order to tackle illegal loan sharks operating on the road and encourage responsible lending, as well as addressing issues such as littering and anti-social behaviour
Cllr Sarah Hayward, leader of Camden Council, said: ‘‘This cooperation is something that has needed to happen for some time, the two councils struggled to align their priorities, but there is now a strong political will to see this through and to make Kilburn High Road a place people will want to visit.”
“I just wanted to praise councillors from both boroughs for their hard work and commitment.”
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