Islington Labour councilors have expressed their dismay over Transport for London’s (TfL) last-minute decision to announce additional temporary closures of one of Islington’s most important and busiest roads. This week, TfL announced that a series of unexpected closures of the A1 Holloway Road are required to continue work on replacing Upper Holloway Bridge.

Labour councillors have accused TfL of underestimating the work that was needed and causing unfair chaos for drivers, local residents and businesses. The closures between Fairbridge Road and Wedmore Gardens will be in effect for nearly three months, including over the October half term holiday, Christmas and New Year.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I am dismayed at this short-notice, unplanned closure of one of Islington’s critically-important major roads. Bus journeys will take much longer, and alternative routes through the borough will bear the brunt of this closure, spreading disruption far and wide. Local residents and businesses will suffer the consequences of this misjudgement, which is unfair.”

Cllr Tim Nicholls, Junction ward, added: “We understand that the bridge needs replacing, but it is outrageous that TfL has got this so badly wrong and will now cause major disruption for much longer than they had suggested all along.

“We need to hear from TfL now about what they are going to do to put on more buses, manage the traffic displacement on to other roads, and how emergency services will cope with this major road being out of action. 

“We’re on the case, and are just as angry as local residents.”

The council is currently considering its options and will be challenging TfL to minimise the extent of the disruption and maximise communication with residents and drivers.

The closures of the A1 between Fairbridge Road and Wedmore Gardens will be:

Friday 21 October – Monday 31 October – closed to all vehicles in both directions

Monday 31 October – Saturday 24 December – closed to all vehicles travelling southbound

Friday 18 November – Monday 21 November – closed to all vehicles in both directions

Friday 25 November – Monday 28 November – closed to all vehicles in both directions

This will be followed by a pre-planned full closure between 24 December 2016 and 16 January 2017.

For more information visit the TfL website.

Pictured – Local councilors opposite Upper Holloway Station