Another right turn ban for vehicles as work begins to transform Old Street roundabout

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Transport for London and Islington and Hackney Councils have started work at Old Street to remove the “outdated” 1960s roundabout and create a transformed environment that is safer for cycling and walking. The work will see the northwest arm of the roundabout close permanently to all traffic, creating a major new public space with better walking and cycling access to Old Street station. Traffic will operate two-way through the redesigned junction, with fully segregated cycle lanes and cycle-only traffic signals around the re-designed junction.

Vehicles will no longer be able to turn right from Old Street into City Road travelling eastbound.TfL say the works will significantly reduce danger for cyclists and other vulnerable road users and enable new people to cycle who were previously put off by the roundabout. Some of the subways around Old Street will also be closed and replaced with new surface-level pedestrian crossings, making journeys in the area quicker and easier for people walking.

Preparation work on the roundabout and nearby roads has now started, with utility providers such as Thames Water and other contractors working at the site.

In August, the Mayor announced he wanted to see the project brought forward and begun this year. TfL have worked closely with the councils and project contractors to ensure the improvements can be completed as quickly as possible, and this includes agreeing to extended working hours to reduce the overall duration of the work. The transformation is expected to be complete by the end of 2020 and residents and visitors are advised to visit tfl.gov.uk/old-street-roundabout for more information about changes to travel during the work. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan – “I announced over the summer that I wanted to see improvements at Old Street brought forward, and I’m delighted that work to transform the junction has now begun. Old Street is one of the busiest junctions in London, but is currently an outdated roundabout that needs to be made safer for the thousands of people who pass through it every day. “New segregated cycle lanes will transform safety for cyclists, and new pedestrian crossings and a new public space will make Old Street cleaner, safer and more pleasant for everyone spending time in the area. “Every death or serious injury on London’s roads is one too many, and the improvements at Old Street are part of our ambitious plans to improve road safety all across London.” Following TfL’s recently completed improvement work at Charlie Brown’s Roundabout in Redbridge, TfL has improved 27 junctions across the capital in recent years to help achieve Vision Zero and reduce danger to people walking and cycling. Work also continues to transform Highbury Corner, another outdated roundabout. New paving has been installed outside Highbury & Islington station and a new direct crossing has opened. Work at the junction will be complete by summer 2019.

November 27, 2018 at 02:17AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI Perry Richardson THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT