As a result of action by Highbury East Liberal Democrat Councillors the Council has undertaken a Stop and Advise Campaign targeting anti-social cycling in Highbury. At the same time as improving the crossing as part of a safer routes to school project at St John’s Highbury Vale

Road safety concerns had been raised about the zebra crossing near St John’s Highbury Vale primary school. Cyclists were reported to be cycling over the crossing before the children and the School Crossing Patrol Officer were safely on the pavement. An initial stop and advise session with local police, was scheduled where errant cyclists were given advice on safe cycling. This was followed up a week later with an enforcement session where cyclists were fined £30 for cycling through the zebra crossing. The large majority of cyclists waited at the crossing, however four fines were issued.

The campaign also saw major improvements to the zebra crossing and roads in front of the school, including additional fencing at the crossing, extended pavements and the introduction of a speed table at the junction of Conewood Street and Highbury Park, were the school is based.

Cllr Terry Stacy, who is pictured with local lollypop lady Janet Wooden, said “Local parents have told us that these improvements are great and going to and throw from school is a lot safer. Janet, the local lolly pop lady, should be congratulated for being such a great advocate for improving safety at this crossing”

Over 50 new bike racks have been installed across Highbury as a result of your Liberal Democrat Councillors. Using money from their Area Committee allocation, Terry, Laura and John put forward sites for new bike racks in our area.

But we need ideas for more locations. Got an idea then email us by clicking here or directly to Shaman at the council clicking here

Local Lib Dems are fighting plans for TfL to extend the Red Route restrictions on Holloway Road to Sundays. Lib Dem objections have meant the process has been suspended for now but the threat of the extension is still very real.

Cllr Laura Willoughby said: “We are very concerned that the proposal to extend operation of the A1 red route had been decided with no consultation with local traders and residents. The impact on local businesses (especially Camden Passage Market at the Angel) could be significant - we must protect our local shops. TfL are using Arsenal match day traffic flow figures as the reason - but we all know that matches rarely happen on Sundays.”

Sign the petition by clicking here

TfL have been quite since we requested that they stop this mad scheme so we have tabled questions to the Mayor of London for his September Question Time. The questions are as follows:

We have all moaned about it for so long, and once again local Lib Dems are taking the battle of the pedestrian Crossing outside Highbury and Islington tube to City Hall - along with concerns about the crossing times at Islington Park Street/Upper Street/Canonbury Lane.

Cllr John Gilbert said “We have tried many times before to get the timing of these crossings changed - there is just not long enough to cross! We hope a new, local Mayor, will listen this time!”

The question, which will be asked at the September Mayors Question time asks:

Will you ask TfL to review the pedestrian waiting times and crossing times at the crossings outside Highbury & Islington station and at the junction of Upper Street and Islington Park Street, as both are too short and pedestrians are taking risks to save time ?

You can sign a petition that we will be presenting at City Hall at …..

Over 50 new bike racks have been installed across Highbury as a result of your Liberal Democrat Councillors. Using money from their Area Committee allocation, Terry, Laura and John put forward sites for new bike racks in our area. These include additional bike racks outside Central Library on Fieldway Crescent, around Highbury & Islington Station, on Highbury Place and Highbury Crescent, along Highbury Park, at Highbury Barn and at the Blackstock Road/Riversdale Road junction. Cllr. John Gilbert, who is a keen cyclist himself, said,“These cycle racks will make a big differene to local cyclists. If anyone has any further suggestions for cycle rack locations, let us know.“

A question to the new Mayor by Caroline Pidgeon AM has revealed that the future of the Cross River Tram project is under threat.
 
Boris Johnson stated that he would be reviewing the transport, economic and environmental implications of the Cross River Tram because there is no Government funding in place for the scheme.

Cllr Laura Willoughby said, “It is of huge concern that the new Mayor is reviewing the Cross River Tram scheme. The proposal is extremely popular in communities throughout
South London. As a new, inexperienced Mayor, he should be listening to what Londoners want.

‘ By crossing the river, the tram would also encourage new links between North and South London. The Mayor needs to work urgently with TfL to find a way to fund this much-needed scheme. Boris Johnson’s refusal to make a firm commitment on the Cross River Tram is very disappointing. Liberal Democrats on the Assembly will continue to press the Mayor to make the tram a priority.”