|
|
 |
| |
Axe gyratory and bring back our two junctions
• AS someone who lived in Islington from 1947 to 1976, and was employed there from 1987 to 2000, I always take a keen interest in public transport in the area.
Thus I found Andrew Bosi’s comments very interesting (Cyclist Boris urged to axe ‘danger’ gyratory, September 19). Having lived as a lad in Canonbury Avenue and attended Canonbury School next door, I well remember the Highbury Corner roundabout being built in 1958-59, at the spot where a doodlebug fell in June 1944.
In all probability, a reversion to the two separate junctions, first between Holloway Road, Upper Street and St Paul’s Road and second between St Paul’s Road and Canonbury Road, would probably be the best bet, hopefully with bus priority measures and so on.
What a waste of money it was, 50 years ago, to re-route the trolleybus overhead wiring and equipment for routes 609, 611 and 679 around the new roundabout, when all would be gone by late 1961.
I recall working in the office responsible for the scheme at the old LCC/GLC in the mid-1960s and seeing the actual costs incurred on this.
Regarding the bendy buses, yes, they should be got rid of as soon as possible, encouraging as they do the dishonest to travel without paying. I understand from a well-informed source in one of London’s major bus operators that the route is being re-tendered for operation by conventional one-person-operated double-deckers, so at least that is a step in the right direction. Bendy buses on the two surviving “Red Arrow” routes, one of which – the 521 – is on the edge of the Islington area, will
be replaced by conventional buses
next year, too.
But a new Routemaster? Surely that is a fantasy, especially in the present economic climate. Why cannot our mayors (that includes Ken Livingstone too) promote the reintroduction of trolleybuses instead of backing expensive tram systems? They would be much less expensive, and disruptive, to other traffic – and are entirely “green”, being electrically powered and virtually silent, a contrast to a tram clattering along its tracks.
Many European cities have recently introduced trolleybus systems, as have those in the USA, a country we seem to follow in many other respects. One criticism is that the trolleybuses’ overhead power wires would be visually intrusive. However, this could be mitigated by attaching them to public lighting standards (as was often done in the old days anyway). In any case, with today’s technology the equipment is not so heavy and cumbersome as it was in the 1930s.
Moreover, much of the basic equipment for trolleybus (and for that matter, tram) operation, which involves conduit for power supply cables beneath the pavements, remains in situ, having been re-used and rented to cable TV companies since its abandonment in 1961.
This applies to Balls Pond Road, Caledonian Road, Camden Road, City Road, Canonbury Road, Essex Road, Farringdon Road, Green Lanes, Holloway Road, Islington High Street, King’s Cross Road, New North Road, Pentonville Road, Seven Sisters Road, Southgate Road and Upper Street – virtually all the major roads in the borough that trolleybuses once served. Today, either a conventional one-person-operator double-decker could operate as a trolleybus (similar in size to those we had between 1935 and 1962) or – dare I mention it – a bendy bus.
As regards the North London line, London Overground is to be congratulated for the way it has smartened up stations and vastly improved passenger service since it took over last November. The train service operated between Stratford, Highbury and Watford Junction (while the section of line between Gospel Oak and Willesden Junction is being further upgraded) recalls that which once operated between Broad Street, Dalston Junction, Highbury and Watford Junction.
Judging by the number of through passengers I have noted while travelling on it recently, I hope it can be permanently reintroduced, with Primrose Hill station being reopened, which would benefit those visiting the many attractions and shops in the Camden Lock area.
JIM BLAKE
Hon Chairman, North London Transport Society, N13
• IT is clear that Islington residents are still in the dark about the future of Highbury Corner.
Despite several promises from the Mayor of London since May that we would have the results of the public consultation by now, we are still waiting. But the smoke signals coming out of City Hall have not been good so far.
In the summer, the Mayor abandoned plans to turn Parliament Square into a pedestrian-friendly area. This scheme was part of the former Mayor’s 100 Public Squares project, which included Highbury Corner.
The Labour government, on the recommendations of the Mayor, also turned down a major funding bid for improvements at Highbury Corner to move the post office, get rid of the gyratory and improve Highbury and Islington station. Funding was only given to neighbouring Hackney and Haringey.
Finally, only last week the Mayor again cancelled a meeting with me to discuss key transport and community safety projects in the borough.
Does this all mean that Boris Johnson is abandoning Highbury Corner? Surely he has cycled round it often enough to know that something has to be done with it.
My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will not take no for an answer. Islington deserves better than this from our local resident, the Mayor.
CLLR JAMES KEMPTON
Lib Dem leader, Islington Council
Axe gyratory and bring back our two junctions
|
 |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
