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The Town Hall has agreed to remove a raised cycle lane between the pavement and the road which has been branded “terrifying” by visually impaired people.

The lane has been raised to the level of the pavement so cyclists are not impeded by buses stopping.

But Tufnell Park barrister Olav Ernstzen points out that it puts vulnerable pedestrians in danger by forcing them to step into the cycle lane.

Cyclists racing home along New North Road pass inches from people stepping off buses at the stop at Elizabeth Avenue, Canonbury.

“It’s wrong in so many ways,” said Mr Ernstzen, who is chairman of Healthwatch Islington.

“On a common-sense level or from an equality impact assessment perspective this fails.”

Mr Ernstzen said bus travel was vital for the independence of disabled people in the borough.

“It’s also a worry for parents with a baby in a buggy, wheelchair or mobility scooter users and people just coming home with shopping,” he added. “Cyclists have the choice of putting pedestrians at risk or, if they choose to go outside the bus where they now have less room, putting themselves at risk.”

The cycle lane is on the way to Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Elizabeth Jones, who set up Talking News Islington, said: “When I step off the bus I put my stick first. If that got caught in a cyclist’s wheel there could be a pile-up.”

The council has agreed to remove the raised lane after admitting to Mr Ernstzen that it had not followed its own equalities policy.

Transport chief Councillor Claudia Webbe said: “Our designs here could have been better as it is clear that Mr Ernstzen’s needs were not considered.

“The council has listened to the concerns and I have requested the removal of this ‘shared space’ and a better solution for cycle safety that does not disadvantage bus passengers, particularly those who are disabled.”

Mr Ernstzen and Ms Jones are working with the Thomas Pocklington Trust to try to establish a support and advocacy group for people with sight loss in Islington. Most other London boroughs have their own dedicated groups.