Have your say on Clerkenwell Road Safe and Healthy Streets consultation
Camden Council, in partnership with Islington Council, is asking for the views of residents, businesses and visitors on proposed changes to the Clerkenwell Road area.
We want to transform our streets, so they have more safe space for everyone to walk and cycle, for children to get to and from school safely, for you to be breathing cleaner air, to reduce carbon emissions from road transport, and for businesses to flourish.
Clerkenwell Road is a busy route, used by many people travelling through the area, but is also as an important destination that is home to important districts such as Hatton Garden, Leather Lane Market, residential developments and businesses.
The road has long been dominated by motor traffic making travel in the area difficult for other road users and pedestrians.
Our proposals will help people to walk, wheel, cycle or scooter safely while also improving the attractiveness and biodiversity of the local area, reduce and mitigate the impacts of climate change and road danger, protect bus journey times, as well as make it more attractive for more people to stop and visit local shops and attractions.
I therefore urge anyone with an interest in this area to complete our consultation and let us know what you think of our proposals.
Councillor Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, said:
“Here in Islington, we’re determined to transform our streets, to help realise our ambition of a greener, healthier, more equal borough.
“We believe that streets are more than just A to B – they’re community spaces that all should be able to enjoy using. That’s why we’re pleased to see Camden’s proposals for their section of the Clerkenwell Road area, which would help make it easier to walk, cycle, and wheel, improve air quality, and create more pleasant spaces.
“The Old Street and Clerkenwell Road area is one of London’s most-heavily used cycle and bus corridors, so devising plans for the section that Islington is responsible for is challenging and complex, involving the re-designing of several key junctions.
“We know that local people know their streets better than anyone, and we look forward to hearing their views on Camden’s proposals, and on our proposals once they’re further developed.”
The improvements are proposed to be split into two phases, with us leading Phase one, which includes the proposed changes to Clerkenwell Road, between the junction with Gray’s Inn Road and Theobald’s Road and the junction with Herbal Hill and Saffron Hill. Phase two is proposed to be developed by Islington Council and will be consulted on separately.
The consultation is open until Monday 11 March 2024. Following this, we will carefully consider the responses, alongside other information including relevant data, safety audits and our policies, to help us in deciding on whether to progress with the scheme.
Should a decision be made to proceed, we would implement the changes under a permanent Traffic Management Order (TMO).
To request a hard copy of the consultation you can call the council on 0207 974 4444 or email us at: [email protected] We can also provide the consultation in large print or a different language.
Our proposals include:
- Making it easier for pedestrians to move around the area including upgrading junctions (Gray’s Inn Road / Theobald’s Road / Clerkenwell Road and Clerkenwell Road / Rosebery Avenue) with widened pavements to make crossing the road easier, alongside a ‘straight across’ crossing across Rosebery Avenue to replace the existing staggered crossing and pedestrian island.
- Upgrading the existing zebra crossings along Clerkenwell Road for better access to areas such as Leather Lane Market for pedestrians and those cycling.
- Making improvements for cycling including a new cycle lane separated from motor vehicles in both directions and at both junctions on Theobald’s Road and Clerkenwell Road, improving safety for cycling
- Create an improved public space (including seating) by the junction with Leather Lane for people to sit rest and socialise. This is in conjunction with the proposed closure of Leather Lane at the junction with Clerkenwell Road to motor traffic (which was consulted on here).
- We are also proposing new trees, planting and cycle stands throughout the area.
- Relocation and partial consolidation of bus stops to protect bus journey times whilst retaining good access for bus passengers to areas such as Leather Lane Market and Hatton Garden