Pedestrians locked out

Published: 16 April, 2010

• PLEASED as I was to see Leo Chapman raise his glass of beer (Glasses raised as walkers win right to stroll in the park by canal, April 2), I knew after many years of campaigning, including the matter of walking round my neighbouring City Road Basin, that things were sure to be more complicated than he hoped to make out.
It seems to be the norm that developers aim to get permission for housing developments by promising they will create gardens with public access. They also tell buyers of the flats that the gardens are private as a selling point but the truth should appear on the contract.
At Anderson’s Square, behind Browns at Islington Green, signs about the public’s right of access promised by the council never appeared. Similarly, at Angel Mansions in Graham Street by the basin.
Unknown to the public there is a delightful path and garden down Collins Yard and through to Gaskin Street and I, as chair of the Anderson’s campaign, had to negotiate persistently to keep the gates open in daylight hours. This is also the case with Angel Mansions, and local people and community associations need to persistently check that such promises are kept, including installing clear signposts.
We visited the new piazza off City Road at City Road Basin to check whether it was possible to progress though the large gray gate into the splendid linear garden created behind Angel Mansions in Graham Street. One day it was possible to do this and the next it wasn’t at 11.30am.
A “habit of use” needs to be established with an eventual aim of opening up the whole path round the basin, starting with an access gate to the original children’s playground and kick-about area near the Boat Club. This should be a well-signposted, clear route and would avoid the public using the residents’ gate off Graham Street to Angel Mansions flats and therefore in the residents’ interest.
It is a great pity that Islington Council closed neighbourhood forums where there could be routine and regular dialogue between ward members, councillors, developers and council officials, who with their ever-changing titles and email arrangements are much more difficult to consult.
AVIS SALTSMAN BALDRY
and KEN BALDRY
Gerrard Road, N1