»A plan for an extra Islington stop on the new £12billion Crossrail 2 project goes before the Islington Council tonight (Thursday).

The proposed route for the multi-billion pound underground railway goes right through the centre of the borough, including stops at King’s Cross and Angel.

But the north east to south west track is modelled on a former idea for a Chelsea to Hackney line which included an additional Islington stop at Essex Road, and the Lib Dem group want the whole council to back a campaign to get it re-instated.

Overcrowded

Cllr Paula Belford, who represents Canonbury Ward which would cover the extra stop and will propose the motion tonight, said: “It’s great news that a new Tube line could be coming to Islington.

“The Victoria, Northern and First Capital Connect lines are often overcrowded as are the local buses running along Essex Road.

“This situation will only get worse as the population in Islington and London booms in the next 20 years. But it seems that Canonbury and Essex Road have suddenly dropped off the map.

“It was always planned to have a station at Essex Road on this line, but now it has vanished into thin air.

“Canonbury residents shouldn’t have to get on already overloaded buses to the Angel to pick up Crossrail 2 when it is running under their homes.

“We need to get Transport for London to go back to their original plan for a station at Essex Road.”

The scheme, which would carry an estimated 100,000 passengers a day, was put forward in a report by lobby group London First in February then Transport for London (TfL) began consulting on the project last month.

If Crossrail 2 gets the nod it would involve digging a huge tunnel right under Islington and some buildings in its path could be demolished.

Work could start in the 2020’s and the service could open in the early 2030’s

Business leaders and politicians hope the new track, which would be paid for by a public grant, and loans against future revenue and private sector investment, will provide a massive boost to Islington’s economy.

TfL’s managing director of Planning, Michele Dix said: “We are currently consulting on two proposed routes for Crossrail 2 and would encourage the public to share their views.”

n Visit www.crossrail2.co.uk by August 2 to make your views on the plans known.