People living in Liverpool Road say their lungs are being choked by traffic

A CAMPAIGN group which has been fighting back against excess traffic on their road for more than a year say the council need to now make reducing the number of vehicles a “matter of priority”.

Residents in Liverpool Road say they have been dealing with a steady increase in the number of cars using their street as a “bypass” over the past five years, resulting in huge traffic jams which pose a health hazard and safety risks.

Jo Michaelides, who started the Save Lungs on Liverpool Road group, said: “We just want it to go back to pre-April 2019 when it was a liveable neighbourhood. People can’t open windows now because of the noise and the fumes.”

She added: “We want Islington Council to fix a mess that they and TfL have made.”

The group believe the now “dangerous” situation is down to a combination of factors including the closure of the Highbury Corner roundabout, new low traffic neighbourhood schemes, and Transport for London works at Holloway Road. These have left Upper Street as a “ghost town” while traffic opts instead to venture down Liverpool Road, they say.

Data from traffic technology specialist TomTom shows that in 2023 around three-quarters of vehicles chose Liverpool Road as a bypass, rather than staying on the A1 and navigating Highbury Corner.

Lucy McCormack, who lives in the road with her three young children, said: “We moved here because it was much quieter, there are loads of families, loads of friends with families that we can walk to, and now this has just become a main road.”

“It’s just bizarre. So many people have been saying that it’s easier to cross Upper Street than Liverpool Road. We just want something major to be done so our road is carrying less traffic than the A1,” Ms Michaelides said.

Posters can be seen in the windows of houses all along the street calling for action.

Now the group are worried that a proposed “Liveable Neighbour­hood” scheme in the Barnsbury and Laycock area will make the road even more clogged up, and say the council have given them no “concrete” answers on how they plan to implement the scheme while simultaneously reducing congestion in Liverpool Road.

“I walk to work through Barnsbury and there’s not a car on the road, and I leave my house here and it’s dangerous and polluting,” said resident Louisa Howitt.

Ms Michaelides told the Tribune: “That’s why we were very surprised when they issued the proposal for Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood, because there had never been a problem there, the problem had always been Liverpool Road.

“They are trying to fix something that doesn’t need fixing whilst ignoring the big problem which we’ve asked to be sorted.”

She added: “There’s a lot of anger and frustration from residents that it’s been going on for years and years now, and why is no one taking any steps to do this,” she added.

Islington’s environment chief Councillor Rowena Champion , said: “We’re committed to working hand-in-hand with local people to create a greener, healthier, more equal Islington, where everyone can fulfil their potential.

“So far, we have completed two phases of engagement for the Barnsbury Liveable Neighbourhood, and local people have told us about their concerns regarding traffic, and the need for child-friendly streets.

“We are working on proposals to address those concerns and to make all streets – including Liverpool Road – greener, healthier, and more welcoming.”

Cllr Champion added: “In 2025 we will be holding a formal public consultation on the plans before any final decision is taken to implement the proposal, and we look forward to hearing from local people, business and communities.”