Liverpool Road - What the GLA & Mayor found out

The Mayor & GLA commissioned an independent survey into Liverpool Road. This is what transpired...

Jennette Arnold, our Greater London assembly member, questioned the Mayor regarding Angel Crossing on
15 September 2004, and it appears that the failure to close the road is entirely
the responsibility of Islington Council.

Question by Jennette Arnold

Further to Question No: 875 / 2004 can you update me on TfL's discussions with the London Borough of Islington about the measures that can be taken to improve safety at Angel crossing?

Answer by Ken Livingstone

Discussions continue with a view to progressing the work contained within the Angel movement study. The study concluded that the main option for radical amendment to the crossing rests with the closure of Liverpool Road. Islington council members consider this an unacceptable option. A detailed safety study of the A1 between Liverpool Road and Essex Road has also been completed. The report did not find a significant problem with recorded collisions involving pedestrians at the crossing serving Angel station. However, it did recommend enlarging the central island to ease congestion, and this is being progressed. A crossing to the north of the junction is also under review. A recent reduction in the signal cycle time has been implemented, which reduces pedestrian delay.

Question by Jennette Arnold

You are saying that they have now reached a situation where the work in progress is it? No other work is planned for the Angel?

Answer by Ken Livingstone

Islington Council came to us to ask would we fund a study to look at this problem. We funded the study. It came up with a solution: close Liverpool Road. Islington Council said this is not acceptable. I do not know whether this is a cross-party decision or not. That is really the end of it. We can fiddle a bit with the existing pedestrian crossings, but we went to an independent assessment. It said, 'Close the road'. The local members said, 'We cannot have that.' We would love someone else to come up with another option, but there is not a great deal that you can do.

Question by Jennette Arnold

When the council then say that the problem lies with TfL, they are clearly not being as open as possible?

Answer by Ken Livingstone

Islington Council came to us and said, 'There is a problem there. Will you fund a study.' I, in my benevolent mode, said, 'Of course.' We paid for a study. The answer came up. They did not like it. They then denounced me for having proposed to close Liverpool Road. I had no idea what the conclusion of the study would be. If you (Bridget Fox) commission an independent study and then reject its conclusion, it is all very well, but do not blame the person (the Mayor) who gave you the money for it.

Jennette Arnold is aware of the problem and is actively questioning the Mayor on it.

This is conclusive evidence that the blood of the next killed or injured at the Liverpool Road Kill Zones is on the hands of Bridget Fox, no longer a Councillor because the electorate had rumbled her before she stood for parliament (& lost) & then, lost her seat on the Council.