Every second counts when you’re waiting to cross Highbury Corner – and now eight of them have been shaved off commuters’ journey time.

Transport bosses have reduced the waiting time at the crossing outside Highbury and Islington station from 74 to 66 seconds after campaigning from Green party councillor and GLA member Caroline Russell. She intervened after complaints from commuters about the length of time they spent waiting to cross the road, with fears of a serious accident due to people walking out before the lights change.

TfL has now agreed to change the traffic light cycle during the day from 80 seconds to 72 seconds. That includes the six second period when the green man is showing.

At night, the cycle is 48 seconds and between 7am and 10am at weekends it is 60 seconds.

Cllr Russell said: “Users of Highbury and Islington Station have been patiently navigating TfL roadworks every day on their way to the tube for far too long.

“Recently the time spent waiting for a green light to cross the road has been extended and people told me they were fed up.

“I asked TfL to reduce the waiting time and they’ve helpfully agreed so people should now experience a shorter wait.

“It’s not fair that pedestrians feel like second class citizens when time is allocated for using road space.”