Plans to pedestrianise part of Highbury Corner – and make its roundabout two-way – are supported by most of the public, it was revealed today.
The survey, published by Transport for London (TfL) and Islington Council, shows 71 per cent of the 2,823 respondents thought it would make Highbury Corner safer for pedestrians.
Meanwhile, 67pc thought it would be safer for cyclists, and 59pc thought it would be safer for those using Highbury & Islington station.
Under the proposal, changes to Highbury Corner would include:
•Closing the side of the roundabout that turns into Upper Street to create two linked public spaces, including a new square in front of the station
•Widening the crossings at the junctions of Holloway Road, Canonbury Road and Upper Street, and making the rest of the square easier for pedestrians to get around
•New segregated cycle lanes and cycle-specific signals on all three remaining sides of the road layout
•Changing the current one-way gyratory into a two-way traffic system
In March, the Islington Society blasted the two-way plans, saying it would rather TfL “do nothing at all”. But only 28pc in the consultation said it would have a negative impact on traffic.
Alan Bristow, director of road space management at TfL, said: “We are now carefully reviewing all the issues raised to ensure that any proposed improvements work for everyone and can create a better environment for all those who live in, work in or visit the area.”
Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington’s transport leader, said: “It is encouraging that the majority agree that these ambitious plans will improve Highbury Corner, which is badly congested, difficult for pedestrians and cyclists, and leaves green space stranded on a traffic island.
“If proposals do go ahead, we will work with TfL to minimise the gap between the end of the current bridge work at Highbury Corner and the start of improvement work.”
The proposed improvements at Highbury Corner roundabout would not start until 2018.
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