Cally Liveable Neighbourhood gets the go-ahead

Long awaited improvements to the neighbourhood’s roads, pavements and parks have been unveiled after a comprehensive public consultation. Top priority in the plan is a programme of pavement repairs concentrating on the high street and especially the notorious section between Bridgeman Road and Richmond Avenue.

The plan will properly pedestrianise Tilloch Street and Freeling Street; and close Story Street to traffic to create safe market trader pitches. All the pedestrianised areas will get new seating, planting and lighting. Details of the Plan can be read here.

Cally councillors have been determined to have a Liveable Neighbourhood that makes pavements safer especially for children and older people and will give our high street a boost. The plan will encourage walking and cycling through the heart of the Cally – better connecting the neighbourhood with Kings Cross.

And it will provide the next phase in our plans to make Bingfield Park a landmark facility for children and families in the Cally. A dedicated cycle route will run from Caledonian Road aroudn the north side of Bingfield Park to Randall’s Rd. This will provide a better cycle facility and take two-wheelers off the pavements.

The plan will improve pedestrian safety around Robert Blair primary school and the Boston and Nailour estates: stopping rat-run traffic that cuts-through Frederica Street to Blundell Street. East-west vehicle movements won’t be locked-out however. Brewery Road will remain “unfiltered” and businesses that use vehicles intensively will still be able to access their sites.

The plan will also finally fix one of the neighbourhood’s eyesores – the mini-park at the corner of York Way and Copenhagen Street. This will be completely rebuilt with a sneaky traffic cut-through removed so that the businesses facing onto the park will benefit from an amenity space that matches the quality on the Camden side of York Way.

Work on The Cally Liveable Neighbourhood will begin in Spring 2025 with further improvements planned through to early 2026.

Cllr Paul Convery says: “The Cally Liveable Neighbourhood will bring much needed improvements to boost the high street, parks and pavements by making walking and cycling easier and safer. The Cally Liveable Neighbourhood isn’t an ‘LTN’. There is just one road ‘filter’ on Blundell Street which runs parallel to Brewery Road. And this will be introduced on a trial basis.”

Cllr Rowena Champion who represents the adjacent Barnsbury ward and is Islington Council’s Executive Member for Environment adds: “The Cally Liveable Neighbourhood will transform this important part of the borough, creating green, accessible spaces that bring people together. These plans are a response to local aspirations for more welcoming public spaces, and we’re committed to making sure residents can enjoy a safer, more connected area, and that local businesses are supported to thrive.”