Major work to transform Highbury Corner is complete

The transformation includes: 

• high quality, segregated cycle lanes on all three sides of the new junction
• a new green public space for everybody in the area to enjoy, including a new HIghbury & Islington station forecourt
• new, wider and 'straight across' pedestrian crossing, which are easier to use than the old two-stage crossings
• more green space by partially opening the arboretum to public access
• a new shared pedestrian/cycle toucan crossing across St Paul's Road to allow two-way cycling to and from Corsica Street

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "I’m delighted that our work to transform Highbury Corner is complete. It has overhauled the junction from three lanes of busy motor traffic into an area safer for walking and cycling, with a new public space for everyone to enjoy.  Whether you’re commuting into central London, or heading to the local shops, the transformation of Highbury Corner will make the area safer for everyone.”

“With thousands of people dying prematurely every year as a result of our dirty air and our continuing inactivity crisis, it is essential other boroughs follow the lead of Islington in getting more Londoners walking and cycling as part of their everyday routine.”

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: “The transformation of Highbury Corner is a vital part of our bold action to make Islington a safer and easier place to walk and cycle.

“With the support of residents, we campaigned hard to change a dangerous and outdated junction into a much more welcoming and pleasant place for people, and have worked together with the Mayor of London and Transport for London to make this happen. Now we have much better, wider pavements outside the station, a smart new area for people to walk and sit, new access to a botanical collection of trees and green space previously cut off behind traffic, and high-quality segregated cycle lanes.

“We will keep working to make transport in Islington healthy, fair, accessible and enjoyable as a central part of our commitment to further reducing car use, tackling air pollution and helping Islington become carbon neutral by 2030.”

Simon Munk, Infrastructure Campaigner for London Cycling Campaign, said: "We welcome the Mayor and Islington Council taking bold action to make Highbury Corner far safer and better for walking and cycling. It is vital we press ahead in civilising the most dangerous junctions in London, on TfL and borough roads, to reduce road danger - the single biggest barrier to more people, and a wider range of people, cycling."

Nick Fairholme, TfL’s Director of Project and Programme Delivery, said: “The new junction at Highbury Corner is already making a huge difference to the safety of thousands of people who move through this busy area each day. I’d like to thank everyone in their area for their patience, whilst these vital works have taken place and we hope that local residents enjoy their new public space.”

Construction work to remove the intimidating 1960s roundabout and replace it with two-way roads began in June 2018. Traffic switched to two-way operation for the first time in 60 years in April this year whilst work continued on the new junction.

The junction transformation follows the removal of Archway gyratory in 2017, by the Mayor and TfL, in partnership with Islington Council.  Major work to remove another outdated and intimidating roundabout at Old Street, another joint project between the Mayor of London, Islington and Transport for London, is progressing well and is set to be completed next year.