Click the graphic to view in full size. Image: TfL
TfL has set out plans to make a key junction at King’s Cross safer for people walking and cycling.
Proposed changes for the junction between Pentonville Road, King’s Cross Road and Northdown Street include improved pedestrian crossings, cycle signals and a new bus lane.
Pentonville Road is a major thoroughfare in a busy part of central London, with thousands of people moving through the area every day, including Londoners and visitors travelling to rail terminals at King’s Cross and St. Pancras.
TfL says ensuring people can travel through the area using sustainable modes of transport is vital to reducing congestion and cleaning up toxic air.
TfL is proposing multiple changes to the junction, including:
- Simplifying pedestrian crossings, to make them easier for people to use, including a straight-across crossing over Pentonville Road so that people will no longer need to wait on a central island
- Closing Northdown Street to motorised traffic at the junction with Pentonville Road, allowing people cycling to cross the Inner Ring Road safely on a new toucan crossing
- Providing more space for people walking through the area
- New early start signals for people cycling, to help them safely move ahead of traffic
- Segregation for people cycling in the eastbound direction
- A new section of bus lane
- New planting and greenery to create a more pleasant environment (subject to ground conditions and further investigation)
- Cycle Hire docking stations moved to a more convenient location from Northdown Street to King’s Cross Road
TfL is asking people to have their say on the changes and a consultation is now open until 2 May.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “These proposals will make it easier and safer for Londoners to walk and cycle at a key junction in King’s Cross. We want to hear what Londoners think of the proposals, so please do have your say.”
“Enabling more Londoners to walk and cycle is at the heart of the mayor’s vision to build a safer, healthier, cleaner and more sustainable London for everyone and we are determined to continue to build upon the boom in cycling we’ve seen recently.
“We will continue to work with Islington and Camden councils to deliver a long-term plan for walking and cycling in the area after the HS2 works are complete.”
15 March 2023