New cycle superhighway will stop short of Islington

The proposed route of the North to South Cycle Superhighway (Image: Archant)

Transport for London (TfL) announced this week that the two-way segregated route from Elephant and Castle to King’s Cross - dubbed “Crossrail for the bike” – will only go as far as Holborn in its first phase.

It promises to extend it to King’s Cross via Farringdon once consultation is complete and a route has been approved, but Islington Council raised concerns over the delay – which comes months after plans for a cycle superhighway linking Archway and Angel Station were scrapped.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “We’re disappointed that the Mayor of London has thus far not delivered on his previously stated ambition to bring the North-South cycle superhighway to King’s Cross. We strongly support bringing the route into Islington via Farringdon Road

“We welcome the Mayor’s and TfL’s ongoing commitment to bring the route to King’s Cross, but this must happen sooner rather than later, to benefit Islington’s many cyclists.

“We will hold them to their promise to work with us and Camden in the next few months to find a suitable route from the City through Islington to King’s Cross.”

She added: “The news is particularly disappointing following the previous announcement by TfL to scrap the cycle superhighway planned for Holloway Road and Upper Street.”

A spokesman for TfL said it remained committed to taking the cycle superhighway all the way to King’s Cross but needed to consult Islington and Camden councils further on the route.

He said: “As originally announced, the planned route north of Farringdon station to King’s Cross, where Farringdon Road is too narrow for segregation in both directions, will use low-traffic back streets, subject to further consultation with the London Borough of Camden and London Borough of Islington, the highway authorities.”