Vehicle speeds will be cut to make cycling safer in Hackney      Credit: Danny P Robinson

Cyclists in Hackney will have a safer route after mayor Phil Glanville announced plans to rip up the one-way system in Stoke Newington and make improvements to Seven Sisters Road.

Glanville spoke at the borough’s sixth annual cycling conference on Thursday (April 27), describing Seven Sisters Road as: “an outer London motorway going through one of our communities.” He insisted vehicle speeds would be cut and crossings made safer.

Over 200 people attended the meeting, which was held at the Hackney Town Hall Assembly Rooms. The meeting included a talk by Hackney’s transport chief, councillor Feryal Demirci, who spoke on future plans for Stoke Newington: “If you’re going to improve conditions for cyclists, segregation is a must.”

A local cycling blogger, who runs the popular Twitter account @HackneyCyclist, spoke to Eastlondonlines about the announcement: “While the removal of the Stoke Newington Gyratory is a welcome one, it is vital that safe provisions are made for people walking and cycling as well.

“Simply returning the gyratory system from one way back to two way would do little to improve the safety of people cycling without segregated cycle tracks.

“Traffic levels are far too high for there not to be segregated cycle lanes installed as part of this project… It is important that cyclists are not pushed onto back roads but are given protected, clear and direct space to cycle on the main roads in the borough.

“The A10 is the backbone of Hackney and it is important that as part of the removal of the gyratory, steps are taken to physically separate cyclists from motor traffic in order to reduce the amount of people being killed or seriously injured on this road.

“Stoke Newington High Street should be a place where people want to visit and spend time. Cycle tracks, cycle parking and clear pavements would go a long way to achieve this.”

Joe Sheeran, the mayor’s strategic communications adviser, said the council will be working closely with TfL, which manages Seven Sisters Road. Together they will “consult on a design scheme this year,” he told Eastlondonlines.
Nigel Hardy, Head of Sponsorship, Road Space Management at TfL, told Eastlondonlines: “We’re working closely with Hackney Council on an ambitious plan to improve road safety and reduce traffic levels around Seven Sisters Road and the Stoke Newington gyratory.

“The improvements will help to create a safer, greener and healthier area and include replacing the outdated Stoke Newington gyratory enabling better routes for pedestrians and cyclists.”