Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood

The Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood project will involve creating changes and improvements to the local area with the aim to:

The proposed Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood spans Caledonian Road to the west, Holloway Road to the north, Upper Street to the east, and Pentonville Road to the south. To manage its scope, we are proposing to begin with the areas adjoining Liverpool Road as shown in the shaded area in the map below.

The proposed Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood area*

*This map was updated on 15 September 2023. Please note that the southern boundary indicated on this map is a revised version to the map presented in the leaflets.

How we are proposing to improve the neighbourhood

We want to make the area greener and more pleasant to spend time in.

• Introducing new greenery such as plants and trees will help to reduce risk of flooding, improve air quality, create shade and cooler spots for people to rest and create a nicer environment.
• We know that Islington is one of six London boroughs most susceptible to climate change, and it is important that we act now to make changes to our local streets for the future of our local communities.

We are also seeking to improve the health of residents by reducing the impacts of traffic and improving the air we breathe.

• We know that poor air quality can directly impact our health. Over the long term, exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of a range of health conditions, including lung and heart disease, and lead to slower lung development in children.
• Road traffic is a major source of air pollution in London, accounting for 41% of local nitrogen oxide (NO2) levels and 24% of small particle pollutant (PM2.5) levels.
• By reducing the traffic levels in Barnsbury and Laycock, we can help create quieter and less polluted streets.

We want to make traveling by walking, wheeling and cycling easy for everyone. We also want to create safer streets for children to travel independently and actively within the liveable neighbourhood.

• We know that over a quarter of adults (30%) and over half of children (57%) in the borough aren't regularly meeting the recommended amount of physical activity.
• The World Health Organisation recommends that adults need 150 minutes of activity per week and children should be active for at least 60 minutes each day (higher for young children).
• By reducing traffic levels and making improvements to pavements, we can support more people to enjoy active travel and build being active into their daily routine.

Between November 2022 and April 2023, we asked for feedback on how we can improve the area for everyone. We received feedback through our online map, in-person events and by email.

You have told us that there are parts of Barnsbury and Laycock that are green, safe and pleasant to live, work and study. However, you also fed back that there are areas for improvement. A range of voices expressed that:

• you are concerned about volumes of traffic and requested improvements to streets to create safer spaces for local people and children
• you requested more planting including trees, rain gardens, pocket parks, parklets and planters to improve air quality and make street environments more pleasant and welcoming
• you also identified crossings, junctions and footways which need repairs or improvements to make them safer and more accessible for everyone
• you requested better infrastructure for cycling including safer cycling routes, more cycle hire schemes and more secure cycle parking.

What are the proposals for Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood

Based on your feedback, we developed four proposals to make the area greener, healthier, and more welcoming for all. These are:

Proposal 1: Upgrading the street environment outside important local places

We would like to improve the street environments outside important places in the neighbourhood so that they can be enjoyed by everyone.

To do this we are proposing a range of improvements that include changes to pavements and crossings, seating, traffic reduction, planting, and cycle parking at local shopping and hospitality destinations.

Find out more about this proposal.

Parklet with planting, seating and cycle parking

Example planting beds with trees and seating

Proposal 2: Building safe walking, wheeling and cycling routes

We also want to make sure that everyone can access important places in the neighbourhood safely and enjoyably by walking, wheeling, and cycling. To do this, we are proposing:

• new active travel routes
• upgrading Cycleway 38 and
• improving existing traffic filters.

Find out more about this proposal.

Crossing with planting

Safer streets for safe cycling

Proposal 3: Traffic filtering in the Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood

To help create streets that are safer, friendlier and with lower traffic volumes and vehicle speeds, we’re proposing to introduce traffic filters on appropriate streets.

All addresses within the proposed Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood will be accessible by motor vehicle. Some journeys may however need to take a different route to reach certain addresses.

You can see the proposed locations of our traffic filters, including exact locations and how streets can be accessed within each sub-area.

Find out more about this proposal.

Example of a traffic filter in the St Mary's Church area

Proposal 4: Improving the environment on roads which remain open to through-traffic

As part of the proposals, Liverpool Road, MacKenzie Road and parts of Copenhagen Street will remain open to through-traffic to enable essential journeys by motor vehicle.

We’re committed to improving these roads, including repairing damage to footways, introducing dropped kerbs, and ensuring that crossing points are accessible for all.

We’re also looking to improve cycleways and cycle parking on these roads, and to bring new greenery like trees and planting.

Find out more about this proposal, including maps and diagrams.

Pavement build-outs with planting

Improvements made to a street which remains open to through-traffic

How you can get involved

Email us

We are preparing for public consultation in 2024, but you can still email our project team with your views and comments at: Barnsbury.Laycock.LN@islington.gov.uk.

Next Steps

There will be further opportunities to have your say on the proposed liveable neighbourhood.

The feedback we received from phase two engagement will help shape the concept designs for the Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood project. These designs will be shared for input during a public consultation in 2024. A decision on whether and how to proceed with the Barnsbury and Laycock Liveable Neighbourhood will only be made after public consultation. If a decision is made to implement all or part of the proposals that we develop following public consultation, we anticipate that implementation would start later in 2024.