Builders and pneumatic drills are descending on Camden Town today as planners strip the cluttered thoroughfare down to its unmentionables.

Street clutter, railings, bollards, bins, CCTV masts and street signs are being ripped out and pavements widened and trees planted in the 'naked' experiment.

There are concerns by wheelchair users who say the kerbs are "intimidating", traders are worried about the construction hitting Christmas sales and the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association who want to retain proper kerbs, had reservations over a similar scheme in Kensington and Chelsea - an argument they won.

The £1.6 million "beautifying, real-world trial" will be the cities only stripped highway.

People will take "responsibility" of their own space according to Chis Knight, Camden Council's executive member for the environment.

An enhanced CCTV network may finally rid the area of drug dealers who operate realitlvly freely in the cultural hotspot.

It is also hoped that the new layout will cut the abnormally high rates of accidents - 27 in the past three years between cyclists and pedestrians.