The challenge

Safety around the Old Street station has been of some concern to Islington and Hackney Councils and Transport for London (TfL) for some time. The roundabout was a collision hot spot and with cyclists making up almost a third of all vehicles, most accidents involved cyclists or pedestrians. With four subways to access Old Street station there was also concern for public safety, particularly at night.

Following a period of consultation plans were agreed to close the north-western arm of the roundabout, creating a new peninsula space with the existing central-island and introducing a two-way signal controlled layout. New cycle lanes and crossings would be created, some segregated from vehicles with cycle-only signals. To improve pedestrian conditions, one of the subways would be closed to create greater footway space and new pedestrian crossings.