With discarded newspapers accounting for around 25% of all street waste across the borough, Camden Council is threatening to cut distribution of the Associated and News International-owned titles by around one-third in key areas, such as King's Cross station and Camden Town.
Such a move would deal a major blow to both papers. It is understood thelondonpaper's distribution across Camden borough is 70,000. London Lite's distribution in Camden is not known, although it is thought to be higher than that of its rival.
A spokeswoman for Camden Council said: "We've spoken to both these organisations [News International and Associated Newspapers] on a regular basis and have informed them that we're looking to bring in controls to curb the way they operate."
London councils have powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to curtail distribution of the 900,000 free copies of thelondonpaper and London Lite that flood the capital each weekday.
Camden is recommending that areas such as Euston and St Pancras train stations be designated "control areas", which could then be subject to a number of restrictions, including the number of copies being distributed in the area.
A report outlining the recommendations will be sent to council members for approval in May.
Although no official figures are available, distribution of the free titles into Camden borough is thought to be among the highest of all London boroughs.
The threat by Camden Council follows a similar move last year by Westminster Council when it threatened to curtail distribution of the London freesheets.
Following months of negotiation, the authority struck a voluntary agreement with Associated and News International to roll out 32 recycling bins in the West End.
John Leitch, London Lite's executive director for distribution, said: "From my understanding, the council is happy with the way we are running our operations."
No one from thelondonpaper was available for comment.
Such a move would deal a major blow to both papers. It is understood thelondonpaper's distribution across Camden borough is 70,000. London Lite's distribution in Camden is not known, although it is thought to be higher than that of its rival.
A spokeswoman for Camden Council said: "We've spoken to both these organisations [News International and Associated Newspapers] on a regular basis and have informed them that we're looking to bring in controls to curb the way they operate."
London councils have powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 to curtail distribution of the 900,000 free copies of thelondonpaper and London Lite that flood the capital each weekday.
Camden is recommending that areas such as Euston and St Pancras train stations be designated "control areas", which could then be subject to a number of restrictions, including the number of copies being distributed in the area.
A report outlining the recommendations will be sent to council members for approval in May.
Although no official figures are available, distribution of the free titles into Camden borough is thought to be among the highest of all London boroughs.
The threat by Camden Council follows a similar move last year by Westminster Council when it threatened to curtail distribution of the London freesheets.
Following months of negotiation, the authority struck a voluntary agreement with Associated and News International to roll out 32 recycling bins in the West End.
John Leitch, London Lite's executive director for distribution, said: "From my understanding, the council is happy with the way we are running our operations."
No one from thelondonpaper was available for comment.
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