Transport for London (TfL) are currently building a new cycleway, named Cycleway 50, between Finsbury Park and Nag’s Head. As part of that scheme, we’re working with TfL to provide new facilities to help and encourage people to walk, cycle and wheel in the area between Nag’s Head and York Way, along Caledonian Road, Penn Road, and Hungerford Road. These changes will form part of the broader Cycleway 50 route, which will run between Finsbury Park and Camden. You can find out more about Cycleway 50 on TfL's website.

We want to make improvements that will enable more people to cycle feeling safe and comfortable. We also want to make the area greener and more pleasant, including by making it easier to walk, scoot and use buggies and wheelchairs.

We want your feedback at this early stage to help shape these proposals, and make our vision for a more environmentally-friendly, pleasant area a reality.

Please take our survey by 11 June so we can understand how these proposals might affect you. You can also use our interactive map to tell us where we could make further improvements such as more trees and greenery, cycle parking, improved lighting and better pavements.

Once we have developed final designs we will run a further consultation later in 2023. We will announce details on this page once they are available.

The project will involve a number of changes to streets aimed at making the area greener, safer and easier to walk around, cycle, scoot, and use buggies and wheelchairs. You can find out more about Cycleways in Islington by visiting our webpage.

Map showing the Cycleway 50 Nag's Head to York Way project area

More details about our proposals

We are proposing to introduce a cycle route along Hungerford Road, Penn Road and Caledonian Road (between Camden Road and Penn Road). In order to do this, we are proposing some new crossings for people walking and cycling, and some changes to vehicular access and parking.

Map of the Nag's Head to York Way route and key changes at junctions

Caledonian Road

We are proposing to introduce segregated cycling in both directions on Caledonian Road between Camden Road and Penn Road. On the west side of the road, this would be protected by wands and would mean the bus stand and the parking on this side of the road would need to be removed to make space for the cycle lane.

On the east side of Caledonian Road, the southbound cycle lane would run between the kerb and the parking. There would be a cycle bypass at Bus Stop V with a bus stop island created for bus passengers to wait at.

A new pedestrian zebra crossing and parallel cycle crossing would be created on Caledonian Road at the junction with Penn Road, north of Penn Road Gardens. Some parking is proposed to be removed further south on Caledonian Road to allow vehicles to exit from Penn Road south of Penn Road Gardens, and for the bus stand to be relocated near Stock Orchard Crescent/Sturmer Way.

Penn Road

In order to make space for the new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Caledonian Road, we are proposing that vehicles would no longer be able to exit from the northern arm of Penn Road. Instead, vehicles would exit Penn Road via the southern arm of Penn Road, south of Penn Road Gardens.

The northern arm of Penn Road would become two-way for all traffic, and the southern arm of Penn Road would become one-way. West of the Gardens would remain one-way for motor vehicles, with contraflow cycling permitted. These changes would require some loss of parking, as illustrated in the parking, waiting and loading changes map.

It is proposed to widen the footway and remove some parking opposite the entrance to Penn Road Gardens, approximately outside numbers 51 and 52 Penn Road, in order to provide better access to Penn Road Gardens.

At the western end of Penn Road near Hillmarton Road, minor kerb changes are proposed to accommodate two-way cycling and seven parking spaces are proposed to be removed. No trees, benches, cycle stands or public refuse bins are proposed to be removed.

Hillmarton Road

A new pedestrian zebra and parallel cycle crossing is proposed on Hillmarton Road, connecting Hungerford Road and Penn Road. To create space for the crossing, it is proposed that the left turn from Hillmarton Road to Hungerford Road would be prohibited.

Hungerford Road

Drivers wishing to access the eastern part of Hungerford Road from Hillmarton Road would need to travel via Hartham Road. Vehicles would still be able to exit Hungerford Road on to Hillmarton Road.

The cycle route on Hungerford Road is proposed to be marked with signs and symbols on the road, but not segregated from other traffic.

One parking space is proposed to be removed at the western end of Hungerford Road, on the approach to the junction with York Way.

People cycling would use existing facilities to cross York Way and join the existing cycle route towards Camden.

We want to hear from you

Please complete our survey so we can use feedback on these initial proposals to improve and develop our plans before a full public consultation later in the summer. You can also add to our interactive map to highlight any issues or opportunities in the scheme area where we could make other environmental improvements, such as planting, rain gardens, adding dropped kerbs or cycle parking.

Please complete these by 11.59pm on Sunday 11 June.

We held an online question and answer session on Monday 22 June. Islington officers talked through the proposals and answered questions about the scheme. Slides from the session and responses to questions which were not fully answered during the event can be viewed in the Additional information section.

We will also hold a workshop event on the evening of Friday 9 June at St. Luke West Holloway Church. This will be a chance to ask questions in person and work with other people to identify further opportunities for environmental improvements in this area. Capacity will be limited so registration is required.