Removal of hated one-way traffic systems is one step closer after “blighting” King’s Cross for over 40 years.
Transport for London (TfL) has launched its first consultation on plans to remove the gyratory, which currently leads up to 10,000 vehicles a day to residential streets such as Wharfdale Road, off Caledonian Road.
Cllr Paul Convery, Caledonian ward representative, welcomed the consultation, which has proposed returning most roads in the area to a two-way system, as well as new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
He said: “The one-way systems have blighted King’s Cross for decades. They are relics of an era in the 1970s when road planners saw King’s Cross as a place only suitable for speedily moving large numbers of vehicles through.
“Today King’s Cross is Europe’s busiest transport interchange, a large new business centre and a high density residential neighbourhood. Despite all the changes to the area, King’s Cross remains dominated by traffic and congestion. It’s now time to calm the traffic, take vehicles off the residential roads and create an area in which pedestrians, public transport and cyclists have priority.
“But we cannot underestimate how complicated this will be. It is the most challenging surface transport project that TfL has ever undertaken. We need the public to help shape the next stage to design a scheme for implementation.”
To view the full plans, visit consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/kings-cross-gyratory
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