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Abstract

Cally residents are celebrating after Transport for London (TfL) agreed to reverse a hated junction redesign which was mak­ing their lives a misery.

A two-way system and extra traffic lights were introduced in between Caledonia Street and Wharfedale Road in November 2014.

It was put in place to provide safer access for pedestrians and cyclists and to help speed up plans to redevelop the King’s Cross gyratroy. But it had the unintended conse­quences of causing grid­lock down Wharfedale Road. Residents said the increased congestion has been causing health problems and sleepless nights.

Numerous studies have shown that the levels of nitrogen dioxide in the King’s Cross area are well above legal limits.

After almost two years of campaigning, and successfully convincing councillors that the scheme was not working, TfL announced they would revert to the old system later this month.

Ewa Idzik, of Wharfedale Road, said: “I just can’t wait. Whole families have suffered because of this. The road has been absolutely gridlocked, we’ve had our air purifiers on all the time.”

She said her son and other residents were having more asthma attacks and others had switched their bedrooms around due to the noise during the night.

Andy Elves, who drives in the area, said: “They did it with good intentions but it was stupid from the outset. I live in Balfe Street and you only used to see traffic backing up if there was an accident at King’s Cross, but now it happens all the time. It’s had a noticeable effect on air pollution.”

Islington Council agreed the redesign was not working last year but they have had to negotiate with TfL and ensure the area remains safe for pedestrians and cyclists.

Town Hall environment chief Claudia Webbe said: “This was a heartfelt plea from the residents and they were right to bring it to our attention.

“It was our job to find a solution that means the area will still be safe for cyclists and pedestrians while getting rid of the awful conditions for the residents.”