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Cyclist Boris urged to axe ‘danger’ gyratory
Roads campaigner attacks mayor’s ‘lack of action’
LONDON mayor Boris Johnson regularly takes his life in his hands when he cycles around the notorious Highbury Corner roundabout on his way to work.
But, according to a leading campaigner, there are no signs so far that Mr Johnson, who lives in Holloway, wants to remove the traffic gyratory system.
Andrew Bosi, chairman of Capital Transport Campaign, attacked Mr Johnson this week for “lack of action” during his first five months as mayor.
Mr Bosi, who lives in Canonbury, said the roundabout was the equivalent in road terms of a tower block built in the 1960s. “We don’t build them anymore, and where we can we try and remove these gyratory nightmares that merely put lives at risk and cause more traffic snarl-ups,” he added.
In a consultation exercise, most of those who responded supported the removal of the roundabout and its replacement with a junction, pedestrianisation and an area of open space.
The scheme has won the backing of the mayor’s traffic wing, Transport for London, but still has not received any funding from the government or the mayor.
Mr Bosi added that there was a similar situation at Archway roundabout. “Almost everyone wants to be rid of it,” he said. “There are detailed plans to reunite the roundabout with the Tube station side of the road. It’s part of the modernisation of Archway, which will include car-free Highgate Hill.
“Two urgent schemes that need funding, but nothing is happening.”
Mr Bosi is also disappointed with the lack of progress on the removal of the much-disliked bendy-buses and their replacement with a new style of Routemaster.
“I know things take time, but when the mayor proposes to ask the public for their ideas about the design of a new bus then I suspect he’s stalling,” he said.
Mr Bosi claims Mr Johnson is backtracking on a plan agreed by predecessor Ken Livingstone to provide new infrastructure for extra trains between Camden Road and Stratford stations during peak time.
“This is a hugely busy line and passengers are crammed into carriages like sardines at peak time,” Mr Bosi said.
A TfL spokesman said: “At the moment no funding is available for the implementation of any changes to these gyratories. But funding for 2009 and onwards will be considered as part of our 10- Year Business Plan.”
The spokesman added that TfL is working to help the mayor achieve his pledge of introducing a new bus that will be safe, modern, reliable and an emblem of London. Contracts for 12 bendy-bus routes are being reviewed when they come up for renewal
The mayor had not backtracked on extra trains for the overground, the spokesman said. “Changes being made mean the peak capacity of trains out of Camden Road station will remain entirely as planned, with eight trains running per hour between Camden Road to Stratford,” he added. |
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