Cllr Rowena Champion

• AT last I sense some optimism about “turning the corner” at Highbury.

There are some welcome signs of a new opportunity for members of the local community and Islington Council to have a productive debate about Highbury Corner traffic flow and related pollution issues.

I hope the recent reassuring remarks made by the executive member for environment and transport, Cllr Rowena Champion to “look at the issues” (The Rat-Runs Roundabout, February 21) will involve residents and organisations in a genuine exchange of ideas.

There is a lot of local knowledge that’s worth sharing and recording to inform long-term solutions. The council’s reported “investment in environmental projects” is to be welcomed too.

Hopefully, the fresh approach Cllr Champion brings to her new role has already moved things on from the frustrating days of political posturing and mayoral photo opportunities with pseudo ceremonial ribbon-cutting in front of plaques to celebrate the delusional success of the Highbury Corner project.

Perhaps at last we can all speak honestly, acknowledge there are design flaws, not just teething troubles, to overcome. Serious concerns about traffic flow, routes, safety, and pollution in the surrounding area now have to be faced and addressed holistically.

As part of this brief, and as summer approaches, it would also make sense to act to reduce the levels of avoidable pollution caused by the industrial scale of toxic barbecues on Highbury Fields.

An inclusive forum, through which design faults are identified, unintended consequences properly understood, and creative solutions explored, has much to recommend it.

ROY PRENTICE
Highbury Crescent