A crowdfunding campaign raising money for an elevated park has been backed by the Mayor of London.
Sadiq Khan joins over 200 residents, community groups and businesses that have already pledged support for the Camden highline which would turn a half-mile stretch of disused railway line into a new public park and garden walk.
Mr Khan said: “This innovative project has the potential to become a real asset for Camden and is a great example of a community taking an idea and garnering support in order to make it a reality.
“I look forward to seeing it develop,” he added.
The scheme – which has been compared to New York’s high line – will provide a pedestrian and cycle route to link Camden Market with the King’s Cross area.
Business group Camden Town Unlimited recently launched the crowdfunding campaign to raise £40,000 for a feasibility study into the proposals after announcing the proposal in May.
More than 90 per cent of target funding has been raised from 243 backers just one month into the campaign with Mr Khan and Camden Market making donations.
Chair of Camden Town Unlimited Martin Sagar said: “On behalf of the business community in Camden we are thrilled to receive this backing from the Mayor.
“It’s brilliant that so many see the transformative potential of this project and the huge benefits it will bring,” he added.
Leader of Camden Council Georgia Gould said: “The highline is a really exciting proposal capturing the public imagination. It’s great to see the crowdfunding figure rising daily.”
The eight metre high, 18 metre wide, disused railway line crosses eight roads on seven existing bridges and was originally built as part of the North London Railway – now the North London Line – part of the London Overground network.
The western end of the proposed route begins on the north side of the North London Line above Kentish Town Road it then travels eastwards to the north of Camden Road station towards Caledonian Road & Barnsbury station, over intact but disused railway bridges, and finishes by Camley Street, which leads to King’s Cross.
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