Under the EIR, I would like to know the air quality for Highbury Corner for the six months prior to the changes made to remove the gyratory and the 6 months following completion of the work. This should also cover the associated streets: St Paul's Road, Upper Street, Canonbury Road and Holloway Road.

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TfL Ref: EIR-1287-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 7^th October 2020 asking for information about air quality around Highbury Corner.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations and our information access policy. 

Specifically you asked:

“I would like to know the air quality for Highbury Corner for the six months prior to the changes made to remove the gyratory and the 6 months following completion of the work. This should also cover the associated streets: St Paul's Road, Upper Street, Canonbury Road and Holloway Road.

TfL does not hold the necessary data to answer your request. However, note that you can source data on air quality in London from elsewhere. For example, the following websites all provide such data:

https://maps.london.gov.uk/air-quality/

http://londonair.org.uk/london/asp/annualmaps.asp

https://www.breathelondon.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlZzHkZfI7AIVyPvjBx1OjginEAAYASAAEgK2hvD_BwE

Notwithstanding the above, note that TfL carries out environmental evaluations for all our major schemes, including an assessment of predicted changes in noise levels and air quality. Our assessments showed that the overall environmental impact of the project is neutral, and we did not expect an increase in air pollution due to the Highbury Corner roundabout improvements. The air modelling data we have is already in the public domain. These were submitted as part of the planning application for the project and can be found on the Islington Council planning website:

https://www.islington.gov.uk/planning

Islington Council confirmed that the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required for the scheme as the works would not have significant effects on the local environment, which includes air quality. Further details of all of these can be found on the Islington Council planning website.

Motor traffic is one of the major causes of air pollution in Greater London, with vehicle exhausts and braking systems contributing to NOx and particulate matter in the air. The Highbury Corner roundabout scheme is expected to help provide a long-term improvement in air quality in the Highbury Corner area by encouraging more journeys to be made by walking and cycling, reducing the number of motor traffic journeys. In addition, the recent introduction of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), greener bus fleet, Taxis and Private Hire vehicles adhering to strict Euro 6 standards, will all assist in reducing pollution.

Note further that several other projects have been delivered by Islington Council around this area, all of which will be contributing factors to traffic levels.

If you are considering submitting a further request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering such requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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