Protesting cyclists are calling for a safer route

CYCLISTS are calling for a safe route to be installed because of a diversion that they describe as “a collision waiting to happen”.

Kingsbury Bridge in Mildmay has been shut by Network Rail for repairs since December and Islington Cycle campaigners say they are sick of waiting and want a new cycle lane installed in Balls Pond Road, where the diversion forces them to ride.

Drivers have been banned from the bridge for decades, making it safe for cyclists and pedestrians. Now, to make the same journey, cyclists are being forced into Balls Pond Road to make a right turn across oncoming traffic.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” said John Hartley, a Barnsbury resident and a Cycle Islington campaigner.

“We’d like them to get on with the repairs … [But in the meantime] they need to make the diversion route that they’ve put in place safe.”

He added: “One thing they could do immediately is to have a segregated track for cyclists along the Balls Pond Road. That road is a heavily trafficked road with lots of heavy goods vehicles and buses going along it, so it’s not just cars.”

Suzie Von Strandmann is an experienced cyclist. The first time she cycled through the diversion she had an accident that led to her being helped off the road by two passers-by.

“I had cycled that route many times. Then, I went to cycle it after the diversion had been put in place. I went into a pothole, came off, and landed on my face,” she said.

Cyclists struggling to make a right turn

“I haven’t cycled it since. It was pretty bad, I had a black eye, and I went to the hospital to be checked out for a fractured cheekbone. I haven’t cycled since then, and I didn’t have confidence it was safe.”

Ms Von Strandmann said that her son is due to start secondary school, and his cycling route will include that diversion.

“I don’t want him to have an accident. It wouldn’t be his fault if he did. I don’t think you can go along there safely, honestly. So, I’ve told him to get off and walk that route, but you know what kids are like,” she said.

Ms Von Strandmann feels a cycle lane would make the journey less treacherous: “Any measures they can take that keep cyclists safe must be done. I’m a fairly confident and experienced cyclist, but we want young people to be feeling safe and get them cycling. But, having that accident knocked my confidence and you feel scared, worried, and anxious the next time you’re on a bike, and I don’t want that for my son.”

An Islington Council spokesperson said: “We’re committed to making Islington a greener and healthier borough where it is easy and safe to walk, cycle, and wheel.

“We know that the bridge is a key route for people walking, cycling and wheeling, so we are working proactively with both Network Rail and Hackney Council to determine the safest, most effective and timely way to make necessary improvements to the diversion.”

A spokesperson for Hackney Council said: “We know that Network Rail’s bridge closure is causing disruption for cyclists passing through this section of Cycleway 1 and are supporting Islington Council and Network Rail on improving the diversion on the route.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We plan to demolish the bridge in December, lift in the new structure in January and then re-open it in the first half of next year. Our work to replace this bridge is fundamental to keep everyone safe – pedestrians, cyclists, train passengers and railway workers.”