London's dangerous Highbury Corner to be remodelled

A road junction with one of the poorest safety records in London is being upgraded by Transport for London (TfL), the Mayor of London and Islington Council.

Reconstruction of the Highbury Corner junction begins on the 28 June.

The works will transform the see the 1960s roundabout removed and replaced with two-way roads and segregated cycle lanes on all three remaining sides of the roundabout. 

There will also be a new public space created for residents and visitors. The improvements to the junction will improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and all other road users.

The work at Highbury Corner is set to continue until late 2019 and TfL is advising residents to plan ahead and leave more time for journeys while the work is taking place.

The improvements to Highbury Corner include:

• Closing the western arm of the roundabout to create a public space, including the Highbury & Islington station forecourt and part of the arboretum (the green space at the centre of the roundabout)
• Installing segregated cycle lanes on all three remaining sides of the roundabout
• Introducing two-way traffic
• Encouraging more walking with wider and 'straight across' (replacing existing two-stage) pedestrian crossings - making it easier to cross and new Legible London signage to improve wayfinding
• Providing local residents and visitors with more green space by partially opening the arboretum to public access, while protecting the most sensitive parts
• Closing the southern section of Corsica Street to motor traffic and creating a continuous footway across the junction entrance to give pedestrians priority over traffic
• Installing a shared pedestrian/cycle toucan crossing across St Paul's Road to allow two-way cycling to and from Corsica Street. 

The work at the roundabout will coincide with essential gas pipe works taking place to help reduce further road closures and TfL is working closely with the utility company to minimise disruption to local residents and businesses.

Deputy mayor for transport Heidi Alexander said: “With more segregated cycle lanes across the junction, improved pedestrian crossings, and a new public space the transformed junction will encourage even more people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday routine. The changes are a great example of a council working closely with TfL to improve quality of life for everyone.”

The junction improvements are in line with TfL's Vision Zero ambition to create a road network free from death or serious injury by 2041. To achieve this goal, TfL is working with the police and London boroughs, developing a bus safety standard for London, removing the most dangerous Heavy Goods Vehicles from London's roads and funding boroughs to create Liveable Neighbourhoods, which will transform neighbourhoods across the capital into greener, healthier, more attractive public spaces.

Nick Kocharhook, committee member at Cycle Islington, said: “Many people on bicycles do their best to avoid Highbury Corner. The new junction layout will be a huge improvement for adults and children of all ages. We are confident that these cycle tracks will be just as popular as others installed over the past five years in London. We can't wait to cycle on the new design as soon as it's finished!”

David Harrison, co-ordinator at the charity Living Streets, said: “Highbury Corner is a hostile and intimidating place for pedestrians. I am very pleased that Islington Council and TfL are investing to improve the area for pedestrians and create a new open public space.”