Building to start on Old Street Roundabout over bank holiday weekend

Design of the roundabout PIC: TfL

Building work on Old Street roundabout will start tonight even if Hackney council are set to oppose TfL’s plans for the entrance of Old Street station. Building work is scheduled to start at 9:30PM tonight (May 24) and will last until Monday morning which will change the roundabout into two-way traffic.

Some surrounding roads including Old Street West and City Road South will be closed for the duration of the works, with the full list on the TfL website.

Nick Fairholme, TfL’s Director of Project and Programme Delivery, said: “Our work at Old Street will transform journeys for thousands of people in the area and make it much easier and safer to walk, cycle and use public transport.”

“The switch to two-way traffic is a major milestone for the scheme and some road closures and changes to travel are needed for work to progress. I’d encourage everybody in the area to take extra care as traffic gets used to the new road layout.”

This is the third building phase of building work to redevelop the area surrounding Old Street tube station into one that is safer for pedestrians and cyclists and has gone ahead despite Hackney council announcing that they will oppose TfL’s continued plans to change the entrances of Old Street underground station.

The council’s planning subcommittee voted to oppose TfL’s plan for changing the entrance to the station on May 1 because it will greatly lengthen travel times for commuters using Old Street station.

Planning officers were concerned that the lack of subway entrance to the station would mean that commuters would have to cross six lanes of traffic before using a lift to access the station.

Deputy Mayor of Hackney, Councillor Feryal Demirci said: “While we welcome the overall improvements to cycling facilities, which are much needed and long overdue, the proposals as they stand do not reflect the calls we made last year.”

“The proposals leave residents and commuters with longer journey times and even more traffic flowing into the borough following the closure of one arm of the junction, which could have a significant economic impact on Hackney’s businesses.”

If TfL can’t get planning permission for the new entrance to Old Street station then their proposed development will have to be changed and the schedule for the building works will most likely be delayed.

Islington Council will hear TfL’s planning application over the Summer.

 

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