Transport for London are planning to reroute their new ‘cycle superhighway’ from the A1 road, saying that it is too difficult to create a safe route for cyclists across the Archway gyratory.

The new cycle superhighways are intended to make London’s main roads safer for cyclists, allowing bikes to travel quickly and directly around the city along key routes.

But Transport for London is now planning to re-route the superhighway down Hornsey Road rather than Holloway Road, bypassing both Archway and the Nag’s Head.

Councillor Greg Foxsmith, Islington Council’s Liberal Democrat executive member for transport and the environment, commented:

“As a cyclist who passes through Archway every day, TfL have now realised what we have always known: that the gyratory at Archway is a hazard for cyclists. It is also dangerous for pedestrians, splits the community in two and adds to pollution. But rather than sort it out, TfL are literally avoiding the issue yet again. I was amazed to learn that during a recent visit, TFL officers arrived on bikes but were too scared to cycle around the gyratory and got off and walked round instead.

“The whole point of cycle superhighways was to take London’s main roads safer for cyclists. It was supposed to be an opportunity to improve the most dangerous parts of the road network. We need TfL’s help to sort out the gyratory but they have refused - and proved how scared they are themselves to use it!”

Islington’s Liberal Democrat council leaders have launched a new million-pound emergency fund to repair roads - after this winter’s cold weather, ice, and snow caused a severe deterioration in road surfaces across the borough.

Potholes have been caused by the freeze-thaw weathering of road surfaces. Water penetrates the tarmac through small cracks - and when temperatures plummeted to the lowest in Britain for 30 years, this water froze and expanded, causing the road surface to break up.

Lib Dem council leader Terry Stacy said:

“Anyone who travels around London knows how hard this winter’s big freeze has been on our road surfaces, with large potholes appearing almost overnight. The longer we leave this the worse it is going to get, which is why the Liberal Democrats are taking decisive action by committing a million pounds to an emergency fund to fill in these potholes.

“It’s a big sum - but if left, the winter’s damage will deteriorate further. Prompt work will save money in the long run, as well as improving conditions quickly for the benefit of residents - whether they walk, drive, or cycle around Islington.”

Residents are encouraged to report potholes by calling the council on 0207 527 2000, by email to contact@islington.gov.uk, or online at: http://www.islington.gov.uk/Doit/Onlineforms/reportproblem.asp

Shoppers and businesses in the Archway area are all set to benefit from a new free parking scheme starting in January.As part of its package of help for residents and businesses struggling through the recession, Liberal Democrat-run Islington has agreed to trial free parking for up to two hours in pay and display bays around the local shopping area from January to May 2010.  The scheme will then be reviewed to judge its impact.The move follows the Liberal Democrat council’s decision to bring in free parking for up to two hours throughout December in all the borough’s pay and display parking bays.  The council has also funded a special Time Out guide to Islington and a ‘Shop Local’ campaign.

Islington’s Lib Dem Council has installed 350 new cycle racks in the last year – putting Islington streets ahead of other London Boroughs in providing safe places for people to lock their bikes. New bikes stands have been put in on Bickerton Road, Elthorne Road, Highgate Hill, Junction Road, Rupert Road, Tufnell Park Road, and in Whittington Park.

In August 2007 there were 420 racks in Islington. By August 2008 the council had doubled that number to 880. Today there are over 1230 cycle racks on roads all around Islington – more than double the number than in neighbouring Labour-run Hackney.

A June 2009 report by the London Assembly found that 45% of people would cycle more if there was better cycle parking. Research conducted by TfL showed that the availability of cycle parking and the security of parked bikes remain the two biggest cycling-related concerns.

Councillor Greg Foxsmith, Islington’s Liberal Democrat councillor responsible for transport and the environment, said:

“I cycle, and would recommend it as a great way to get around Islington. The Liberal Democrats want to support people to take up cycling, and people need to know that they have somewhere secure to park their bike when they visit the shops, the doctor, church, or while they’re at work.

“That’s why this Liberal Democrat council has tripled the number of cycle racks on our streets in the last two years. We’re committed to making Islington one of the most cycle-friendly boroughs in London.”

Archway traders struggling in the recession have been given the two fingers by Boris Johnson’s transport bureaucrats. 

In a shock move, it was announced that Archway tube station will be closed at weekends for three months starting in November, running through the crucial Christmas trading period, until the end of January.  The closure is for improvement works to the station. 

Desperate traders are up in arms about the Mayor’s timing and are demanding the planned works stat in the New Year to give traders a chance.  Liberal Democrats have fired off an emergency question to the Mayor asking why Archway traders have been left in the lurch.  The Mayor is causing “planning blight” at Archway after proposals to build step-free access at Archway station were dropped previously.  Archway Market traders had to be moved, the mall was not in use for over a year and traders suffered while the whole area was left in limbo only for TfL to walk away at the last minute. 

“Boris’ timing couldn’t be worse” says Junction Ward Councillor Stefan Kaspryzk (pictured with Cllr Ursula Woolley and local resident Arthur Graves).  “He claims to want to help regenerate the Archway.  But with one fell swoop he has destroyed the hopes of Archway businesses by taking away their trade.”

“We’ve been here before.  In December 2006 Archway station was closed for works and the effect on local businesses was devastating.  Why don’t TfL ever learn the lesson?  Why can’t these works be delayed until the New Year and allow our traders a decent Christmas?  With the delay in ending the Archway gyratory, the sudden halt to step-free access works at the station and now this, Archway residents and traders are rightly asking what they have done to deserve this triple whammy.”

Archway and Tufnell Park needs more number 4 buses say Islington Liberal Democrats.  Local Lib Dem Councillors and residents in Tufnell Park and Archway are lobbying Transport for London to improve this service. 

“The buses get really few and far between when they get to Tufnell Park and I know it puts a lot of people off using them”, said local Councillor Ursula Woolley.

Liberal Democrat Councillors are asking Transport for London to put more buses on the route between Finsbury Park and Archway, and to put timers on all of the bus stops from the Odeon up to Archway.  “At least that way people will know how long they are going to have to wait,” said Councillor Tracy Ismail.  

Local resident Arthur Graves (pictured) says “It is a hopelessly sporadic service which local people cannot rely on.  If the Mayor wants to get more people out of cars and on to public transport, Transport for London needs to do better than this.”

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