Lorry drivers will have to go through special training, including spending time cycling on London’s streets, in order to work on large projects in Islington.

It comes following a spate of deaths across the capital from incidents involving cyclists and heavy good vehicles (HGVs) and an incident in which an Islington pensioner was crushed to death under a lorry in February.

Under the new rules, announced at last Thursday’s full council meeting. drivers of HGVs over 3.5 tonnes in Islington will be required to take the Safe Urban Driving training course – a seven hour course taught over one day.

The course consists of two 3.5 hour modules, one classroom-based and one practical module where drivers can get on bikes and get a cyclist’s view of the road.

Cllr Andy Hull, Islington Council’s executive member for finance and transport, said: “The safety of cyclists on Islington’s roads is a matter of life and death, which the council takes extremely seriously.

“Through this new package of measures, we are pulling the different levers at our disposal to make the borough a safer place, not only for people on bikes but for pedestrians and drivers too.”