Street of fear – Calls for traffic calming on York Way
Published: 17 September, 2010
by PETER GRUNER
PEDESTRIANS who claim they dice with death every time they cross a main road have accused planners of treating them like “second-class citizens”.
Residents say they are fed up with “chaotic” crossings and traffic islands on the one-way system at the southern end of York Way, opposite King’s Cross station.
They warn that, with the opening of St Pancras International, The Guardian building and soon a new St Martin’s college in the area, the number of pedestrians has soared.
The 1970s one-way system is now totally inadequate, they claim.
Resident Leah Dixon, who works for a charity, said the York Way crossing is so dangerous that she has fears every time her daughter, Amber, 12, has to use it.
She added: “Someone did an illegal right turn in a truck and didn’t see us and nearly ran us over. Since then, Amber has been frightened to use the road.
“Traffic is fast and intimidating at rush hour. It’s like the planners have forgotten that a community lives around here. What’s wrong with traffic calming and speed restrictions? The visitors and business community would also benefit from slowing down the traffic. They take their lives in their hands when they cross the road, too.”
Local activist Sophie Talbot has been campaigning for a pedestrian footbridge across King’s Cross station from York Way to St Pancras, uniting the two communities.
So far, Network Rail has rejected the idea, even though it was on the original masterplan for the station revamp.
Ms Talbot said there were many authorities responsible for the King’s Cross area.
“Islington and Camden councils said they were going to talk to each other and never have,” she said. “Local developer Argent and Network Rail gave promises earlier which were never fulfilled. It’s been a constant battle to get Network Rail to listen or to be taken seriously by Argent.”