Have your say on improvements to Archway gyratory for pedestrians and cyclists

Overview

Update on 25 September 2015

Following completion of public consultation last year a number of customer queries have been received regarding details of the scheme. A summary of Frequently Asked Questions has been developed jointly with Islington Council and are included below:

Click here for the Archway Gyratory - Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Update ends

Update on 27 May 2015

Last year we consulted on proposals to improve Archway for cyclists and pedestrians and create a new public space. The consultation ran from 3 November until 14 December 2014. Thank you to all who took part in our consultation. An amended design reflecting comments we received during the consultation process is included below, together with a report on the results of the consultation.

Click here for the Archway Gyratory - Post consultation design changes map (PDF)

Click here to download the Archway Response to Consultation report

We received a total of 1,028 direct responses to the consultation. The majority of respondents agreed that the proposals would deliver improvements to pedestrians (68% of pedestrians agreed) and cyclists (63% of cyclists agreed). Respondents also expressed some concerns. In particular 32% of motorists said they thought the scheme would make conditions worse for motorists and 18% of bus and tube customers said it would make conditions worse for them. We also received a petition from local residents asking us to consider alterations to the scheme, which gathered 135 signatories by 14 December 2015.

In response to comments received during the consultation, TfL considered the following changes to the proposals:

• Addition of a segregated route for southbound cyclists from Highgate Hill to Johns Way following concerns of the left turn conflict for cyclists at the junction of Tollhouse Way and Archway Road. To fully segregate the southbound route, the pedestrian crossings at the Archway Road and Tollhouse Way junction will be converted to shared toucan crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Improving the northbound cycling provision when leaving the new public space with a new section of cycle track between the public space and the junction of MacDonald Road.
• In addition to the southbound cycle track, creating a northbound segregated cycle track from St Johns Way for cyclists travelling northbound to the junction of Tollhouse Way and Archway Road.
• Widening of footway outside the Girdlestone Nursery on Vorley Road.

Next Steps

Subject to approval, construction is anticipated to start in March 2016 and is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete. Monitoring work would also be undertaken to assess any impacts of the changes, for example on local roads, and mitigation measures would be identified if required. We will also undertake further consultation for changes to bus services necessary to deliver improvements at Archway.

Details of the original consultation are included below.

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Overall context

We proposed to make major improvements to the Archway gyratory as part of our
Road Modernisation Plan. The Plan includes enhancements at some of London’s
busiest junctions. At Archway we are also proposing to radically transform the town
centre by creating a new public space.
 

What we proposed?

We proposed to transform Archway gyratory by changing the one-way traffic
system to a two-way operation and creating a new public space in the heart of the
town. Our proposals aim to make the town centre a more pleasant and accessible
environment for all users, including improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.

The proposals would make major changes to the way that some people currently
move through the area. We would therefore like to hear your views on the
latest design.

Why did we propose this?

The gyratory system that surrounds Archway town centre can be difficult to navigate. In particular, the road layout makes it difficult to access the local businesses on the island in the middle of the gyratory.

The proposed changes would better balance the needs of all road users and make the area more welcoming.

• Pedestrians would have improved crossings to access the town centre
• Cyclists would have dedicated routes, improving safety and making cycling more enjoyable
• Motorists would drive through a better road layout, with reduced risk of collision
• Tube passengers would be able to leave Archway station and walk directly into the new space
• Everyone would benefit from an improved, more accessible town centre which might help attract investment

For a larger version of this map click here

Proposed changes

Removal of the gyratory system

The proposals would introduce two-way traffic with clear signals, road markings
and signs to assist all road users.

New cycling infrastructure

Dedicated cycle facilities would be provided on routes through the junction
including a two-way cycle route past Archway Station. The new cycle lanes
would be physically separated from traffic where possible. This would make
cycling through Archway a safer and more attractive option.

Improvements to pedestrian crossings

Direct pedestrian crossings would be provided in the busier parts of the town centre, such as near the tube station, and a new pedestrian crossing would be provided on Archway Road (near Despard Road), replacing the pedestrian underpass.

An artist's impression of the proposed Archway town centre

Closure of the south-west 'arm' of the gyratory to create a brand new public space

The proposals would close the road between the station and the central island
to all vehicles, and redirect the main road to the other side of the central island.
This would create a brand new public space outside the tube station. As part
of this consultation we welcome feedback and suggestions for how the space
could be best used.

What impacts will our proposals have on traffic flow?

Our proposals will mean changes to journey times for traffic. In the main these
changes would not be significant, with some bus and road journeys getting
shorter and some getting longer. The most notable change is an increase to
journey times for traffic heading North on the A1 in the morning.

Our proposed designs include changing the traffic signal timings in the local area
to ensure delays are kept to a minimum, and to improve journey times where
possible. We are investing in advanced traffic signal technology to allow us to
better manage traffic in London depending on differing conditions at any given
time. There will also be customer information to enable road users to make
informed journey choices and campaigns to encourage road users to check
before they travel.

For details on traffic impacts click here

For a summary of the traffic modelling results click here

What other changes will there be?

Changes to traffic movements

The changes would mean that certain traffic movements would be no longer
possible. For example, motorists travelling from St John’s Way would not be
able to turn right to access Archway Road or Highgate Hill. Also, cars and lorries
would no longer be able to loop around the roundabout to travel from Holloway
Road into Junction Road and vice versa.

Closure of Archway Close, retaining Flowers Mews as an access route

Archway Close (the road in front of the businesses on the island) would be closed
to traffic, as it would not be possible for vehicles to exit this road safely. Instead,
Flowers Mews at the northern part of the island would be retained as an access
route, and the parking and loading bays from Archway Close would be relocated
to nearby locations. The exact location of these bays will be confirmed shortly.
The closure of Archway Close provides an opportunity to include this area in the
discussion on the design and use of the new open space.

Tree removal

A number of trees would need to be removed to make space for the new road
layout. New trees would be planted to avoid a net loss of trees.

Changes to bus stops and stands

To accommodate the new public space, some of the bus services that currently stop directly outside Archway Underground Station would need to be moved.

The proposals would also require:

• The relocation of the northbound bus stop X on Archway Road (near Despard Road) slightly further up the road.
• The removal of northbound bus stop G (near the former UCL Campus)
• The removal of southbound bus stops K and L (near Archway Park) from Archway Road.
• The removal of the alighting bus stop on MacDonald Road, used by bus routes 4, 17, 41, 143, C11 and W5

The proposals would relocate bus stands from the existing site on Vorley Road to on-street locations. New bus stands would be provided on Archway Road for six of the terminating bus routes, with the last terminating bus route (41) standing on MacDonald Road adjacent to the leisure centre. To accommodate the new bus stand on MacDonald Road and allow bus routes 41 and 210 to serve the town centre, the one-way direction of Vorley Road and MacDonald Road would need to be reversed.

The table below details the proposed bus changes under the scheme. Any changes would be subject to a separate consultation on bus services.