Ongoing issues with Highbury Corner

• THE Highbury Fields Association has been in regular contact with Transport for London about the upkeep of Highbury Corner over many months.

The HFA are keen to see the area deliver on its potential as a pleasant green space for pedestrians to enjoy.

We have raised many issues with TfL including the damaged traffic lights (eventually replaced); problems with dangerous tree pits that were a trip hazard (only partially resolved); poor maintenance of the hedging and protective fence (no evidence of any work); badly installed tree guards; poor drainage (which regularly leads to a small lake on the paved area); the lack of a bus display screen at the busy bus stop just before Highbury Corner; the desire line which makes the short-cut across the paved area so attractive to cyclists, with speeding electric bikes a particular risk to pedestrian safety; and the inconsiderate parking of mopeds and hire bikes.

As any visitor to Highbury Corner will clearly see, the area is looking neglected; despite the best efforts of the Islington Council street cleaners who do a great job. TfL are not playing their part in caring for the green space (it is TfL land).

The HFA have been told that 14 different species of saplings have been recently planted in the hedge to fill gaps, but there is no sign of this work being done.

We reported broken fencing and TfL initially told us that contractors could not find a problem with it. We keep being told that weeding will be done, but have no idea when this will happen.

Our offer to meet TfL at Highbury Corner has not been taken up. It feels like TfL just does not care about Highbury Corner.

The HFA have learned from Laycock ward councillors that there is a joint council-TfL strategic steering group set up to discuss Highbury Corner, among other matters, but this group does not include local community groups or residents.

This feels like a missed opportunity to hear from people who want to help make the area nicer for all of us.

When will TfL show us that they truly care about Highbury Corner?

KATE POTHALINGAM
Chair, Highbury Fields Association