All this work just to prevent cyclists having to dismount

Published: 16 April, 2010

• RESIDENTS living near the Danbury Street entrance to the Regent’s Canal towpath are baffled by the works being carried out by British Waterways to the ramp which accesses the towpath.
They seem to be building a flight of shallow steps next to the ramp, apparently to try and deal with pedestrian/cyclist conflicts. The scheme separates pedestrians and cyclists, except that wheelchair users and parents with buggies will still have to use the ramp. Many towpath users consider it would have been more effective, and much cheaper, to introduce measures to encourage cyclists to dismount on the ramp. 
A more immediate problem has been that Islington Council has given the contractors a complete road closure at Danbury Street bridge to use as a compound. This was forcing cyclists onto the narrow pavement, the only way left through.
I am pleased to report that, after 10 days of pressurising the council’s highways department, I have persuaded it to get the contractor to move the fence back enough to create a cycle lane next to the pavement, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists alike. 
If readers wish to know more about the ramp and towpath, they should read my blog, thisislingtonlife, at cllrmartinklute.blogspot.com/
CLLR MARTIN KLUTE
Labour, St Peters ward