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Islington Tribune - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 14 November 2008

Boris is cornered over roundabout

Mayor set to face new calls to close off parts of Highbury Corner after public consultation

A PUBLIC vote has piled pressure on transport chiefs to shut down parts of the Highbury Corner roundabout.
The Tribune has learned that results of a Transport for London consultation programme will leave London Mayor Boris Johnson facing demands to close off one of the busy gyratory’s branches.
The findings have yet to be released but sources close to the scheme said respondents have clearly backed suggestions to close off either the western or northern arm of the roundabout. Far fewer people who took part urged Mr Johnson to leave it as it is.
Lib Dem council leader James Kempton said: “We’ve made real significant progress. A year ago we consulted on three options and TfL wouldn’t release the results because of the mayoral election. Now Boris has scrapped Ken Livingstone’s 100 public spaces programme, and Highbury Corner was part of that, I’m clear from my meeting with Boris that we’ve got it back on the agenda. We’re now engaged in a way we haven’t been for a year.”
But Mr Johnson has already warned there are still major funding issues to be overcome before the scheme can go ahead – and London Assembly chairwoman and Islington representative Jennette Arnold is doubtful the removal of gyratory schemes at Archway and Highbury Corner will ever happen.
She added: “Boris is saying unfunded commitments made by the previous administration including Archway and Highbury Corner gyratories will be deferred. That includes proposed free access projects at Archway and Finsbury Park. I’m extremely angry. The Mayor is always blaming the financial climate. Residents at Archway and Highbury Corner have a right to be very fed up.”
The council and TfL have been at odds for 12 months, with the Town Hall demanding the publication of the consultation results and TfL stalling.
Cllr Kempton said: “I’m frustrated that the [consultation] results haven’t been published but pleased to hear that the public have voted so decisively in favour of getting rid of the gyratory. We’re continuing to press TfL on releasing the figures and will be doing all we can to implement those proposals.”
Mr Johnson also praised the council’s role in setting up a new London bike hire scheme and said he was looking forward to working with the authority to increase the number of cyclists in London.
The scheme is similar to a project in Paris, where residents and visitors can hire a bike from one location and return it to another.
People who have paid a small registration fee will be able to use bicycles for free if they are returned within a certain time.
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: “The Mayor is committed to improving the public realm for residents of Islington and every borough across London, and his team has met with Islington to discuss working on achieving real improvements in the area.
“The Mayor is currently considering the consultation report, and it will be published shortly.
“The Mayor also confirmed that work on Highbury Corner would only be considered after issues around funding have been looked into.”
A TfL spokeswoman said: “Transport for London is committed to improving links for local residents and transport users.
“This project is due to be considered by the Mayor and we hope to be able to report more in the coming weeks.”

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