New look Highbury Corner plans published

08 February 2016
Improvements proposed for cyclists plus new pedestrian crossings to improve safety
"Our proposed improvements at Highbury Corner would radically change this area from a traffic thoroughfare to a place to visit, and provide safer routes for those who do. We look forward to hearing people's views on our proposals"
Leon Daniels
Managing Director of Surface Transport, TfL
  • Proposals would further open up Islington for cyclists and pedestrians following the start of the Archway gyratory removal
  • New public space would link Highbury and Islington station and Upper Street with the roundabout's trees and green space

New plans to improve safety and transform one of the busiest parts of the Capital have been published by Transport for London (TfL) and Islington Council. A consultation is now underway on plans for Highbury Corner, which would see the western side of the roundabout completely removed and replaced by a major new public space.

Removing the western side of the roundabout would allow a two-way traffic system to be introduced with improved pedestrian crossings. It would also allow new segregated lanes for cyclists to be created as, despite a lack of facilities, they now make up 22 per cent of all traffic using the roundabout. The improvement work is part of TfL's £4bn Road Modernisation Plan to radically transform the way the Capital's roads and public spaces are used.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

'Highbury Corner heaves with hundreds of thousands of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians every day. It is a challenging area to navigate but the changes we are proposing will be a vast improvement, particularly for the many thousands of passengers who disgorge onto the pavement from Highbury & Islington station; and also for the cyclists who will find new segregated cycle lanes and signalised crossings that will make the area far safer for them.'

The work proposed would make the area a more pleasant and accessible place by:

  • creating two linked public spaces, including a new square in front of the station by closing the western side of the roundabout
  • improving pedestrian facilities to allow more people to move around Highbury Corner safely and directly, including widened crossings at the junctions of Holloway Road, Canonbury Road and Upper Street
  • boosting cycle safety though the provision of new segregated cycle lanes on all three remaining sides of the road layout
  • changing the current one-way gyratory into a two-way traffic system

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said:

'Our proposed improvements at Highbury Corner would radically change this area from a traffic thoroughfare to a place to visit, and provide safer routes for those who do. The improvements would help us deliver our aim of eradicating death and serious injury from London's roads and encouraging more people to walk and cycle. We look forward to hearing people's views on our proposals.'

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council's executive member for environment and transport, said:

'This scheme will transform an area that is currently congested for pedestrians and difficult to navigate for cyclists. We aim to create an open, attractive and pleasant area that reclaims the enclosed trees from the traffic island for people to enjoy. Alongside this will be a much safer road environment for cyclists, creating a unique destination around one of Islington's major transport interchanges.

'We are looking forward to hearing the public's views on these proposals - including the options for opening up access to the trees and green space - and will work with TfL to get the best out of the area for residents, visitors and all road users.'

Members of the public can respond to the Highbury Corner consultation, which closes on 20 March, here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/highbury-corner-roundabout.

As part of the Road Modernisation Plan, TfL is also currently replacing the 100-year-old Highbury Corner Bridge, which carries Holloway Road over the railways. This bridge replacement will safeguard a vital arterial road for the future and finish in 2017. The proposed improvements at Highbury Corner roundabout would not start until 2018, after the bridge has been replaced, to minimise the impact to road users.

TfL keeps London's traffic moving through a variety of methods. Technology, such as Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique (SCOOT) - proven to reduce delays by up to 12 per cent and being expanded across London - is used. Up-to-the-minute traffic information is provided via digital road signs, TfL's traffic status page and TfL's Twitter feeds to better manage the network. TfL also has the ability to control temporary traffic lights from its central traffic control centre, to help further ease traffic and minimise disruption.

 

Notes to Editors:

  • TfL and Islington Council will be holding public exhibitions at Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UN on:
  • Wednesday 24 February 15:00-19:00
  • Saturday 27 February 09:30-13:30
  • Monday 29 February 10:00-14:00
  • TfL and Islington Council will analyse and consider all of the comments received and publish a response in Autumn 2016. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, consideration of competing priorities for resources elsewhere on London's main road network and further relevant approvals, construction could start in 2018
  • For live information on how London's roads are operating, road users can check their travel at tfl.gov.uk/trafficnews and tfl.gov.uk/bus/status before they travel and follow TfL's twitter feeds - @TfLTrafficNews and @TfLBusAlerts - to plan their journeys and avoid disruption. For information on the projects set to modernise London's roads visit tfl.gov.uk/roadplan