Highbury Corner safety improvements

Official Project Partner: TfL

 

Highbury Corner is the latest junction to be transformed by TfL in a scheme designed to improve safety for all users.

Work is due to start in summer at the junction, which has one of the poorest safety records in London. The 1960s roundabout is intimidating for users and difficult to negotiate, being dominated by traffic. TfL will transform the junction, with two-way roads replacing the outdated one way system and the installation of segregated cycle lanes on three remaining sides of the roundabout, making Highbury Corner safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

Highbury Corner is heavily used by cyclists, with bikes making up nearly a quarter of all traffic in the morning rush hour. The creation of safer cycling infrastructure will enable more people to cycle in and through the area.

A thorough consultation has been undertaken by TfL and Islington Council prior to designs being undertaken, which has led to a pleasant and accessible space with access to the arboretum and pedestrian access to Highbury & Islington station.

Transport for London (TfL), the Mayor of London and Islington Council have announced.

Due to finish in 2019, the improvements to Highbury Corner will help achieve the Mayor’s aim, set out in his new Transport Strategy, of 80% of journeys being made by foot, bike or public transport by 2041. In doing so, it will improve Londoners’ health, tackle congestion and clean up London’s air.

Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross, said: “These are really exciting plans that will both improve safety and make Highbury Corner a more attractive and enjoyable place to spend time. With more segregated cycle lanes across the junction and wider pedestrian crossings the changes will make cycling and travelling on foot easier and safer for everyone using this busy area every day. With more green space also open to the public, the changes will truly improve quality of life for everyone living and working around Highbury Corner.”

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “This is an amazing opportunity to transform a busy, polluted and outdated junction into an attractive place for pedestrians, public transport users and cyclists, with safer, segregated cycle lanes.

“We want to create a much-improved Highbury Corner for residents, businesses, workers and visitors and to link the station with the trees and green space currently stuck on a traffic island.  The public support for this transformation has been overwhelming. We will continue to work closely with Transport for London to minimise disruption, and I am recommending the council’s Executive approves this proposal.”

Ben Plowden, TfL’s Surface Transport Director of Projects and Programme Sponsorship, said: “It’s great that so many people have helped shape our plans to help make a better environment for all of those who live in, work in or visit Highbury Corner area while reducing road danger.

“When we’ve finished our work this junction will support the movement of more people by making walking, cycling and public transport easier – while safely opening up a tranquil pocket of greenery in the middle of the city. There will be some disruption while the work is taking place, so Londoners are advised to plan ahead and leave more time for their journeys after the work starts.”

Fran Graham, Campaigns Coordinator, London Cycling Campaign, said: “London Cycling Campaign welcomes the news that Highbury Corner will finally be tamed. These improvements will make the junction much safer for the majority of people that already walk and cycle around this dangerous roundabout, and will mean that many more will be able travel though safely and enjoyably. The Mayor will have also taken another step towards fulfilling his Sign for Cycling commitment to fix the most dangerous junctions in London.”

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