InfoIslington - Islington Reference Library

The Mayor's Vision for Cycling in London

The Mayor's Vision for Cycling will create a 'Crossrail for the bike' as part of his plans for a nearly £1 billion investment in London cycling. The route will run for more than 15 miles, very substantially segregated, from the western suburbs, through the heart of London, to Canary Wharf and Barking.

It will use new segregated cycle tracks along, among other places, the Victoria Embankment and the Westway flyover. It is believed to be the longest substantially-segregated cycle route of any city in Europe.

  Other elements in the vision include: 

• A new 'Central London Grid' of bike routes in the City and West End, using segregation, quiet streets, and two-way cycling on one-way traffic streets, to join all the other routes together;
• A new network of 'Quietways' – direct, continuous, fully-signposted routes on peaceful side streets, running far into the suburbs, and aimed at people put off by cycling in traffic;

• Substantial improvements to both existing and proposed Superhighways, including some reroutings;
• Major improvements to the worst junctions, making them safer and less threatening for cyclicsts;
• Work to make HGVs safer

Crossrail Property Impact Study

This study by the GVA considers the potential impact on London’s property sector of the Crossrail project. It describes the scale of the project, one of the most significant infrastructure programmes ever undertaken in the UK, and suggests it will help regenerate key locations, while contributing to London’s economic growth. It considers the significant driving forces shaping the property market within which Crossrail will operate, including: current market conditions and development trends; enhancements that Crossrail will make to accessibility, quality and speed of journeys along its route; which locations will see the greatest change to existing service; current and changing perceptions of each station location; and developer and investor perceptions and views. It examines the effects of Crossrail to date on London’s property market and considers the likely effects as construction proceeds and the line opens in 2018. It looks at the opportunities for new development as a result of Crossrail. Considers central, west and east sections of the Crossrail route and examines the characteristics and current planning policy basis that would enable and support new development, intensification or changes of use. Identifies places in each section of the route where development potential is most likely to be realised.

Traffic in Islington

Traffic figures for Islington for 2011 have now been added to the Department for Transport website. Counts are made at 64 points within the Borough and show people increasingly traveling by cycle - up to 13,600 from just 5,020 in 2000. Car journeys have gone the other way and are showing a steady decrease from 140,698 in 2000 to 105,615 in 2011. See all the figures here.

The Council’s Winter Maintenance Programme and Response to Cold Weather Scrutiny Review

This review published in October 2011 had the objectives:

 To look at the performance of the Council’s Winter Maintenance Programme and Response to Cold Weather over the last three years.

To look at whether the recommendations of the Winter Maintenance Plan had been followed.

To consider any changes that would help the Council deal with any cold weather in the 2011/12 winter period and in future years.

Islington Transport Strategy 2011 - 2031

Islington’s Transport Strategy and Local Implementation Plan (LIP) sets out the Council's local transport objectives, policies, programmes and targets for the twenty-year period from 2011 to 2031. The strategy was adopted by Council in March 2012 following public consultation during 2011, and has been formally approved by the Mayor of London.

Travelling During the Olympics

A website is available to help people navigate the Underground, roads and rail during the London 2012 Games. Getaheadofthegames.com brings together information about which stations are predicted to be busy at what times during the Games period and which areas of London are best avoided in your car. You'll also be able to get live travel information on Twitter by following @GAOTG.

Transport Services for Communities with Specific Needs

Islington Council supports a range of transport services for communities within the borough who have specific transport needs, such as people with disabilities or the elderly. These include:

• Accessible buses - the PlusBus 812 runs Mon - Fri between Hoxton and Angel.
• Blue Badges - disabled parking scheme.
• Freedom Passes - older and disabled people can use public transport for free.
• Taxicard - offering subsidised taxi fares.
• ScootAbility - offers short term loan of mobility vehicles to residents with mobility impairments.
• School transport - please talk to your school to find out more.
• Social services transport - Islington's Short Breaks schemes for disabled children may include transport to and from the scheme as part of the package.

Traffic in Islington

The Department for Transport collects statistics on traffic on the major roads in Islington. The statistics for 2000 to 2010 show a big increase in cycles, lesser increases in motorcycles and buses and a considerable decrease in cars. For the full statistics click here.

London Buses Report for Islington

Transport for London produces quarterly reports for bus routes producing a borough overview and report on each bus route. See here.

The London Plan

The London Plan is the overall strategic plan for London, and it sets out a fully integrated economic, environmental, transport and social framework for the development of the capital to 2031. It forms part of the development plan for Greater London. London boroughs’ local plans need to be in general conformity with the London Plan, and its policies guide decisions on planning applications by councils and the Mayor.