Islington Labour councillors have been making their voices heard by TfL since the unexpected closure of Holloway Road was announced.

Since the closure came into effect three weeks ago, residents and local businesses have expressed their frustration at its wide-ranging effects and councillors have been raising their concerns with TfL. Following a public meeting between residents, TfL representatives and councillors last week, further concessions have been announced.

On Wednesday 2^nd November, local Labour councillors organised a public meeting for residents to put their concerns to TfL managers directly.

As a result of councillors’ interventions, TfL has agreed to:

• Promote that local businesses are open as usual by printing and distributing flyers to local community hubs, sending letters to 135,000 properties and providing supplementary signage.
• Install additional signs advising on the HGV ban. Enforceable 7.5ft signs have also been in place on Tufnell Park Road since Friday 4 November.
• Make additional changes to bus services in the area to help reduce congestion. Route 17 is running between London Bridge and Nags Head, rather than continuing to Archway, while route 263 is running between Barnet Hospital and Archway, rather than Highbury and Islington.
• Continue to run a free shuttle bus every 10-12 minutes from 0600 to midnight, between stop L on Holloway Road (Nags Head) and temporary stops near Upper Holloway Station.
• Install environmental monitoring equipment on Tufnell Park Road to measure air quality.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Since TfL agreed to a number of concessions, particularly around the HGV ban and changes to bus services, some of the worst effects of the closure have thankfully been reduced. However, there is still much work to be done.

“It is particularly important for our vibrant and thriving community that local businesses do not suffer as a result of the closure. That is why we have been calling hard on TfL to advertise widely that shops and businesses on Holloway Road are open as usual.

“We will continue to engage with TfL to ensure that they are delivering on their promises and raise concerns on behalf of the borough.” 

Pictured – Local councilors opposite Upper Holloway Station