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‘No one-way at Archway – end Archway’s traffic madness’: from left, Cllr Ursula Woolley, campaigners Alan Perry, Norman Beddington, councillors Janet Burgess, Wally Burgess and Stefan Kaspryzk |
Banner pleads: ‘End this gyratory traffic madness’
Campaigners want link to ‘island’ and return of two-way flow
DEMONSTRATORS put up a 25-foot banner this week calling for traffic-clogged and polluted Archway roundabout to be scrapped.
Campaigners and councillors are pressing Transport for London (TfL) to “put their money where their mouth is” and link the roundabout with the pavement opposite, bringing a return to two-way traffic.
Norman Beddington, an environmental consultant for the construction industry, put up the banner on behalf of pressure group Better Archway Forum (BAF) on Sunday.
“We don’t have permission for the banner but it has support from most people locally, including councillors from the Lib Dems and Labour,” he added.
“Transport for London has promised to get rid of this gyratory system but now say they have no money to do it. The problem is the organisation was expecting money from the planned Archway redevelopment, which also hasn’t kicked off yet.”
Residents have been campaigning for three years for the removal of the gyratory system, and a return to two-way traffic at the major road junction.
Lib Dem executive member Councillor Ursula Woolley said the gyratory was congested for much of the day. “It results in high levels of noise and pollution, making it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to access bus stops and the Archway underground station, and discouraging public transport users from spending in local shops,” she added.
Studies have shown that the island in the centre of the gyratory could be re-attached to its surroundings by making Lower Highgate Hill (the western arm in front of the Tube station) buses only, and returning the remainder to two-way traffic.
Although blighted by noise and pollution, the island is home to a Methodist church and community centre and independent businesses, including Archway Tavern (soon to become a Polynesian restaurant), Resurrection boutique and Tollgate Café.
Figures collected by TfL agency Design for London show that up to 2,500 pedestrians negotiate the gyratory every day during peak hours alone. To get to or from the Tube station, pedestrians have to cross up to four traffic streams.
Late last year, TfL commissioned a feasibility study into the removal of the gyratory, which will be ready in the next few months.
A Transport for London spokesman said: “As soon as the feasibility study has been concluded we will study the results and review the funding to assess whether such a scheme can be supported.” |
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