Highbury East Liberal Democrats

As many of you know, after a long consultation process with the community a vision was agreed for Highbury Fields that is helping us make the Fields better for everyone.If you want to see a full copy of the vision click here: click here

What has happened to the fields since the vision document?

• new metal, bow top fencing around the play area new benches
• installed the installation of a 20mph zone around the fields and adjoining roads
• new and improved road crossings (near Ronalds Road) to make access to the park easier

Below are details of what is to come:

Improvements to the Fields Soil and Turf

To deal with large numbers of Arsenal Fans and now summer sun seekers the grass is showing signs of wear and tear. In some areas the grass has been worn away to bare soil which is heavily compacted and increasingly susceptible to water logging. The permanent damage that could result from this is a real concern – it would create real eyesores and water problems. So the grass is going to be re-sown starting next week and up until early July, this will means some areas of the fields will be cordoned off to give the grass a chance to grow. There will also be some changes to prevent future damage. This will mean:

North West end

• The path to the West of the ranger’s hut will be removed and grass reinstated in its place.
• The first set of steps will be removed, and cobble stone reinstated in its place in character with the surrounding area.
• The post and rail fencing will be extended, down Highbury Crescent, to the second set of steps, again in character with the existing post and rail.
• A gap in the fencing will be created opposite the Ronald’s Road crossing. This gap will have an inbuilt, extendable tube, to allow for it to be closed on Arsenal match days.
•  Existing damaged post and rail fencing will be rebuilt

South East end – Highbury Pool

The area between the Highbury Place path to the playground (roughly opposite Calabria Road) and the edge of the fence to Highbury Pool is also heavily used by pedestrians and in shade for the greatest part of the year. Discussion with your councillors, residents and officers concluded that restoring grass in this area was unlikely to succeed creating a unusable space. So instead the council will fence off the area using black bow top fencing to match the playground and encourage pedestrians further up Highbury Place. There will also be planting of low growing, native shrub species to hide changes in styles of fencing. These works will be completed by the end of June 2008.

Development of a Tree Management Plan

By the summer of 2008, the council’s tree service will have the started consultation process for the tree management plan for Highbury Fields. This document will define the long term maintenance and planting objectives for the trees on the fields.

Development of a Management Group for the fields

As agreed with residents the councils is setting up a new management steering group for Highbury Fields, which will be chaired by Cllr Stacy. If you would like to be part of this group then please contact Laura Sanna, Greenspace Ranger, on 07825 098451 or laura.sanna@islington.gov.uk