Market Road Improvements

Thank you to everyone who took part in our consultation between 9 February and 8 March 2026 about our plans to improve Market Road.

As part of our efforts to create a healthier borough we want to make some improvements in the Market Road area.

We think there are several opportunities to help make Market Road a safer, more welcoming street. We are proposing to add and improve pedestrian crossings, improve pavements, and make Market Road more comfortable for people walking, wheeling, and cycling.

As well as improving Market Road itself we also want to improve the public space east of Caledonian Park between Market Road and Shearling Way, which is known as Fred White Walk.

The map below provides an overview of our proposals within the Market Road area.

Map image showing the Market Road proposed improvements

Improvements on Market Road

We are proposing the following improvements:

• introducing one new pedestrian zebra crossing on Market Road, adjacent to the Old Gin Palace building and the Adventure Playground entrance
• introducing a new pedestrian and cycling parallel crossing on Market Road, adjacent to the football pitch entrances
• repairing pavements, particularly around trees
• upgrading the existing zebra crossing on Market Road outside the Caledonian Park entrance to make it safer to cycle across
• upgrading the existing cycle lanes on Market Road by adding kerb protection
• adjusting the bus stop positions, and constructing cycle bypasses around the bus stops, to keep people cycling away from general traffic
• narrowing the roadway to encourage slower vehicle speeds

To make these changes possible, we’re proposing some alterations to parking in the area, including:

• converting two out of four parking spaces on Market Road from disabled blue badge holder only to a loading bay
• removing approximately five parking spaces on Market Road from the north side by Caledonian Park
• replacing single yellow lines with double yellow lines

For further detail about the proposed new layout of Market Road itself, please view the "Market Road improvements designs" PDF on the right hand side of this page.

Improvements to the space east of Caledonian Park (Fred White Walk)

We also want to improve the large cobbled space east of Caledonian Park between Market Road and Shearling Way. This space is known as Fred White Walk. A google streetview link showing this space is here.

We do not yet have a specific design for improving this space, but during our February/March 2026 consultation we asked your views on what sort of improvements you think would improve it.

Improvements could include, for example:

• New trees and planting in the space
• Improved lighting to make the space safer to travel through at night
• Improved bins, to reduce litter
• Improved drainage to stop the area flooding after heavy rain
• A smoother, more accessible path through from Shearling Way to Market Road
• Clear separation between people walking and people cycling

Thank you to everyone who shared their views and ideas for this space. Your ideas will help inform us what to focus on, in terms of designing improvements to this space.

The photos below show examples of recent improvements made to other streets and public spaces in Islington. These photos show the flavour of Improvements which we could make to the Fred White Walk area, which is east of Caledonian Park between Market Road and Shearling Way.

Example of new planting and trees recently built elsewhere in Islington

Example of new seating and improved public space

Example of improved public space, planting, and a new cycle path separate from people walking

Example of new greening and improved drainage to reduce flooding

Example of new informal play features in an improved public space

How to get involved

We had an online survey at the bottom of this webpage where you could share your views. The survey closed on Sunday 8 March.

We also held two in-person events. Both our events were held at the Cally Clock Tower Centre (N7 9HF) and provided an opportunity to speak with project staff and share your views about the project. The events were held on:

• Tuesday 17 February, 12:15pm-2:45pm, at the Cally Clock Tower Centre
• Tuesday 3 March, 5:15pm-7:45pm, also at the Cally Clock Tower Centre

Thank you to everyone who attended these events.

Email us

You can still share your views by emailing us at MarketRoad@islington.gov.uk