Islington commuters are outraged over proposals to axe a section of the 277 bus route as part of the controversial proposed redesign of Highbury Corner.

Transport for London and Islington Council have proposed replacing the Highbury Corner roundabout with a two-way traffic system, and pedestrianising the road outside Highbury and Islington station.

The redesign means the 277 would have no space to turn at Highbury Corner. TfL has proposed shortening its route “to help the road layout operate more effectively”.

As a result, the bus, which currently runs through Hackney on its way between Leamouth and Highbury Corner, may have to terminate at Dalston Junction.

On Sunday protesters were joined by Lib Dem mayoral candidate Caroline Pidgeon and transport watchdog TravelWatch in calling for a halt to the plans.

“These plans are disappointing as this is a road scheme which is dictating the future of an important bus route,” a spokesperson for TravelWatch said. “We want to see the 277 continuing to serve Highbury and Islington station.”

Terry Stacy, Lib Dem candidate for the London Assembly, said: “All we need from TfL is to be a bit more creative and find possible options for the service to continue to run to Highbury and Islington Station.

“Sadly, that’s not something that TfL and its bus service planners do well.

“Why have the night service going to the Angel, and not the day service?”

Islington man Victor Kaufman described the plans as a “nightmare”.

“I, like many others, rely on the 277 daily to get to work,” he said.

“Even with the current service it is not uncommon for buses to drive past my stop on St Paul’s Road because they are too full.

“Cutting the 277 entirely will mean effectively halving the number of buses between Dalston and Highbury Corner.”

A petition to save the Dalston to Highbury Corner bus service had been signed by 75 people on Wednesday afternoon.