New TfL route aims to get more people cycling

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that construction work will begin on a new cycle route between Finsbury Park and Holloway Road on February 20. 

The new section of Cycleway 50 will be the first along a major new corridor of safer walking and cycling infrastructure and will be a significant boost to London’s growing network of high-quality cycleways.

The new route, which includes an overhaul of the intimidating and outdated Nag’s Head gyratory, will deliver much-needed improvements to roads and junctions and make it easier for everyone in the area to travel in a healthy, sustainable and affordable way. 

Previous analysis carried out by TfL has shown that the Camden to Finsbury Park corridor is within the top five per cent in London with the greatest potential for increasing the number of people cycling, and one of the top ten for travel to and from central London. 

Creating enough space for people to walk and cycle safely is vital to a sustainable transport network, especially as around 60% of households in inner London do not have access to a car, with a high proportion of these from low-income households. 

Mike Hardaker, TfL’s director of capital delivery, said: “We’re determined to make cycling in London safer and easier and this major new route is a key part of our plans to expand London’s growing network of high-quality cycleways.

"We know how important safer cycling infrastructure at this location is to people in the borough and beyond and are delighted to be able to confirm the start of construction work here. 

“We’re building this cycleway as an experimental route and will be working closely with Islington Council to make sure the changes support everyone in the area to travel more sustainably." 

Mr Hardaker thanked residents in the area for their patience during construction work and said he would encourage people in the area to check their journeys before they travel.

The new sections of Cycleway 50 will connect people in neighbourhoods along two new segregated cycle lanes, running westbound along Seven Sisters Road and eastbound along Isledon Road and Tollington Road. 

There is currently no cycling infrastructure at the Nag’s Head gyratory near Holloway Road, or connections into the existing cycle network, making it difficult for people to make longer trips. 

Collision data also shows that 31 people cycling and 53 people walking were injured at the gyratory between June 2017 and June 2020 and the route forms part of the mayor’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate death and serious injury on the transport network.

Will Norman, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: "More Londoners than ever are choosing to walk and cycle around the capital. 

“We need to continue to make London’s roads safer and journeys easier by building more high-quality cycling infrastructure. 

“This new cycleway between Finsbury Park and Holloway will be yet another step towards making cycling easier and more appealing to people in the capital, and help build a safer, fairer and greener London for everyone.” 

Work will be carried out in phases between February and December this year and will also include upgraded pedestrian crossings and extra space for people walking along the route.

Speed limits along the route will be reduced to 20mph.

Cllr Rowena Champion, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Air Quality, and Transport, said the work was critically important to tackling the climate emergency, “especially as Islington is one of the six London boroughs most at risk to climate change”.   

“We’ve already taken great strides towards creating a cleaner, greener, healthier Islington for all, by creating streets where people can safely and easily walk, cycle, scoot, and use buggies and wheelchairs,” she said.     

“We know, though, that we must go further. 

“That’s why we’ve been working with TfL on plans for Cycleway 50, which will make it easier for local people to walk, cycle, and wheel between Finsbury Park and Holloway Road.”

TfL will continue working closely with London’s boroughs to deliver even more walking and cycling infrastructure in the coming years.