Already more than two years late, a long-awaited revamp of Old Street roundabout will not be completed until next year.
Transport for London (TfL) confirmed today (February 21) that the safety upgrade is scheduled to be completed by early 2024.
Work to remove one arm of the roundabout and introduce segregated cycle lanes began in November 2018, and was initially scheduled for completion by the end of 2020.
Most recent estimates put the cost of the re-development in excess of £110 million.
Part of London’s inner ring road, the roundabout sits above a Tube and train station.
TfL works will also upgrade Old Street station, creating two new passenger entrances and new lifts to an improved retail concourse.
TfL defended the length of time the project had taken, claiming that keeping the road and station open throughout the works had “complicated delivery”.
The construction site was also shut for three months during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Under current plans, the work on the new cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings will be completed this summer.
Conservative London Assembly Member, Keith Prince, attacked the delay.
He said: "The Old Street roundabout project is taking far too long and costing far too much. This is a dangerous junction which urgently needs to be made safer for local residents."
Nick Fairholme, TfL’s director of capital delivery, said: "Our work to transform Old Street will be a huge boost to everyone who travels to the area, making sustainable journeys by public trasnport and on foot or bike much safer and easier."
"We’re working hard to complete the project as quickly as possible and are sorry for the disruption this delay will cause to people in the area.
“I’d like to thank everyone in the area for their patience during this work and we’ll continue to work closely with Islington and Hackney Councils, local residents and businesses to ensure everyone can benefit from these changes as soon as possible.”
Work will continue on the project Monday-Saturday, 7am-7pm, with some night works between 8.30pm and 5.30am.
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