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Bridge work? Latest study is the third to argue a footbridge is not feasible |
Campaigners for pedestrian footbridge slam ‘lack of vision’
THE campaign for a pedestrian footbridge across King’s Cross station has received a new blow with planners from Islington Council saying that it is not financially viable.
However, to compensate residents on the Islington side of the station, struggling with heavy traffic flow, there are plans to get rid of the one-way system in York Way and create two-way traffic instead.
The proposed bridge, which would span the entire station from Wharfdale Road in Islington to Battlebridge Road in Camden would cost around £8million, according to the council’s transport planner Karen Sullivan.
Last Tuesday Ms Sullivan told the West Area committee: “In this climate there is just no money for it. Any benefits to pedestrians and cyclists do not outweigh the costs.”
She also explained that two even more urgent projects – to remove the gyratory systems at Archway and Highbury Corner – were currently being put on hold because there was no money for them.
King’s Cross resident Sophie Talbot, a leading campaigner for the footbridge, said she was bitterly disappointed.
“The needs of at least 17,000 residents plus hundreds of businesses have been ignored,” she said. “Once again this is a poor quality report lacking in proper research.
“The King’s Cross development is a billion pound development but provides little for the community.”
Caledonian ward Labour councillor Paul Convery described the report as seriously flawed and lacking vision. “It is very short-sighted.
“They have based it on what the situation around King’s Cross station is now rather than what it will be like in 30 years with new homes and businesses.”
The Islington study is the third to suggest that the footbridge is not feasible. Network Rail commissioned consultants Arup and Camden employed Colin Buchanan, who both came to a similar conclusion. |
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