Transforming St John Street

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Have your say on the St John Street public realm designs


Our public consultation on the St John Street public realm project runs from 4 November 2024 to 15 December 2024


As part of our efforts to create a cleaner, greener, and healthier borough we are excited to share our plans for transforming St John Street.

With more greening including plants, trees and sustainable drainage features, seating and reduced traffic volumes, the street will become a welcoming place for all.

On this page you can find out how you can give us your feedback on the proposals, by:

About the St John Street project area

The St John Street project area, shown below, extends from the junction at Charterhouse Street to St John's Lane, including the widest portion of the street which was once the location of the Hicks Hall Sessions House. Historically the area, once the gateway into London, was bustling with movement and activity. Today, surrounded by vibrant local streets and businesses it remains a busy, lively place close to Farringdon Station with its 1.2 million monthly visitors as well as Charterhouse Square and Clerkenwell Green.


A map of the St John Street project area in context - the map shows the area from Clerkenwell Road and Old Street in the north, to Smithfield market in the south. The project area is shaded in green, and covers the area from the junction with Cowcross Street to just north of St JOhn's Lane on St John Street


Following some initial community engagement in 2019, we have received further ideas from local businesses and residents, and have conducted our own monitoring of traffic in and around the area. We have developed some proposals for this area and are now seeking your views on the designs.

You have told us that:

  • you would like to see pavements improved with more space created for people walking, wheeling and with buggies and mobility aids
  • you want to see more pleasant, green public spaces and more places to stop and rest
  • streets should be made safer with slower traffic and fewer vehicles
  • it should be easier for people cycling in the area

We are listening to the feedback from local people and groups, and we are looking to prioritise the following improvements:

  • creating a greener, more accessible and pleasant street environment for residents and local workers to enjoy
  • making it easier for children to be able to travel safely through the area, and offering the opportunity to interact with the environment through play
  • reducing through-traffic, reducing road danger and improving air quality
  • enhancing the historic character of the street
  • supporting local businesses to thrive




Our plans for transforming St John Street

The design for the space is shown in the image below - for more detailed images, and further information please review the document links on the right of the page, where you will find the background analysis conducted in preparing the scheme (Stage 2 pack) and the detailed present proposals (Stage 3 pack).

Our plans will create attractive, brand new green community spaces where local people and visitors can spend time and walk, wheel and cycle safely. New trees and planting will provide cooler and shadier spaces, enhance biodiversity and reduce flood risk. The plans will enhance the recently launched Green Link Walking route which runs down St Johns Lane, through St John Street and onwards through Grand Avenue and the City of London. The design includes a motor traffic filter at the Charterhouse Street and St John Street junction, making the junction safer and easier to use for people walking, wheeling and cycling, and allowing for the creation of wider pavements and more greening. For an explanation of traffic filters, please see the FAQ on the right hand side of the page.



An overview of the general arrangement of the project area. The project area has a single lane of road extending north from Cowcross Street up through the project area on the western side of the street. The junction of Charterhouse Street has a new traffic filter, with "no motor vehicles" sign. The new area that used to be part of the junction has three large green circular planters which are marked as having new trees. There area new green areas that are marked as rain gardens. Two loading bays are marked on the diagram, one on either side of the carriageway. A new southbound cycle track extends through the project area from top to bottom. The design shows new spaces with seating and wider pavements.


The implementation of the traffic filter at the junction of Charterhouse Street and St John Street will mean that whilst all destinations will still be accessible by motor vehicle, some journeys will require different routes to those that are used at present. For more information, please review the "St John Street traffic access" document in the documents tab to the right.




Get involved

Complete our survey

We encourage you to give us your views on the designs by filling in our survey online, or collecting a paper copy from:

  • Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street, EC1V 4NB

  • Islington Town Hall reception, Upper Street, N1 2UD


Attend a public event

Online meeting (via Microsoft Teams) - Tuesday 12 November
  • Join us on Tuesday 12 November from 6.30pm - 7:30pm to hear more and ask questions about the project and the design decisions
  • sign up to the event using the link on the top right of this page before 12 noon on Tuesday 12 November. A recording of the presentation from this initial meeting will be available on this page once the event has taken place.

In-person event #1 - Cowcross Gallery, Cowcross Street - Friday 15 November

  • Come to review the designs in person and discuss your comments with officers on Friday 15 November from 4:30pm - 7:30pm at the Cowcross Gallery, 78 Cowcross Street
  • please note that as capacity for this event will be limited, and if necessary, priority will be given to residents and businesses of the project area and neighbouring streets
  • sign up to the event using the link on the top right of this page before 11.59pm on Thursday 14 November or complete a paper registration at Finsbury Library, or Islington Town Hall reception before midday on Thursday 14 November

In-person event #2 - Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street - Thursday 28 November

  • Come to review the designs in person and discuss your comments with officers on Thursday 28 November between 5:30pm and 7:30pm at Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street, EC1V 4NB
  • please sign up for this event using the link on the top right of this page by 11.59pm on Wednesday 27 November, or complete a paper registration at Finsbury Library, or Islington Town Hall reception, before 12noon on Wednesday 27 November so we can have an idea of the numbers of people who will attend. In the case that the event becomes too crowded, we may ask that you wait outside until space becomes available.

Next steps

Our consultation proposals are based around what local people and businesses have told us you want to see improved in the area.

Once we have heard your views on our plans through the consultation, we will use your feedback to make any final design changes.

Have your say on the St John Street public realm designs


Our public consultation on the St John Street public realm project runs from 4 November 2024 to 15 December 2024


As part of our efforts to create a cleaner, greener, and healthier borough we are excited to share our plans for transforming St John Street.

With more greening including plants, trees and sustainable drainage features, seating and reduced traffic volumes, the street will become a welcoming place for all.

On this page you can find out how you can give us your feedback on the proposals, by:

About the St John Street project area

The St John Street project area, shown below, extends from the junction at Charterhouse Street to St John's Lane, including the widest portion of the street which was once the location of the Hicks Hall Sessions House. Historically the area, once the gateway into London, was bustling with movement and activity. Today, surrounded by vibrant local streets and businesses it remains a busy, lively place close to Farringdon Station with its 1.2 million monthly visitors as well as Charterhouse Square and Clerkenwell Green.


A map of the St John Street project area in context - the map shows the area from Clerkenwell Road and Old Street in the north, to Smithfield market in the south. The project area is shaded in green, and covers the area from the junction with Cowcross Street to just north of St JOhn's Lane on St John Street


Following some initial community engagement in 2019, we have received further ideas from local businesses and residents, and have conducted our own monitoring of traffic in and around the area. We have developed some proposals for this area and are now seeking your views on the designs.

You have told us that:

  • you would like to see pavements improved with more space created for people walking, wheeling and with buggies and mobility aids
  • you want to see more pleasant, green public spaces and more places to stop and rest
  • streets should be made safer with slower traffic and fewer vehicles
  • it should be easier for people cycling in the area

We are listening to the feedback from local people and groups, and we are looking to prioritise the following improvements:

  • creating a greener, more accessible and pleasant street environment for residents and local workers to enjoy
  • making it easier for children to be able to travel safely through the area, and offering the opportunity to interact with the environment through play
  • reducing through-traffic, reducing road danger and improving air quality
  • enhancing the historic character of the street
  • supporting local businesses to thrive




Our plans for transforming St John Street

The design for the space is shown in the image below - for more detailed images, and further information please review the document links on the right of the page, where you will find the background analysis conducted in preparing the scheme (Stage 2 pack) and the detailed present proposals (Stage 3 pack).

Our plans will create attractive, brand new green community spaces where local people and visitors can spend time and walk, wheel and cycle safely. New trees and planting will provide cooler and shadier spaces, enhance biodiversity and reduce flood risk. The plans will enhance the recently launched Green Link Walking route which runs down St Johns Lane, through St John Street and onwards through Grand Avenue and the City of London. The design includes a motor traffic filter at the Charterhouse Street and St John Street junction, making the junction safer and easier to use for people walking, wheeling and cycling, and allowing for the creation of wider pavements and more greening. For an explanation of traffic filters, please see the FAQ on the right hand side of the page.



An overview of the general arrangement of the project area. The project area has a single lane of road extending north from Cowcross Street up through the project area on the western side of the street. The junction of Charterhouse Street has a new traffic filter, with "no motor vehicles" sign. The new area that used to be part of the junction has three large green circular planters which are marked as having new trees. There area new green areas that are marked as rain gardens. Two loading bays are marked on the diagram, one on either side of the carriageway. A new southbound cycle track extends through the project area from top to bottom. The design shows new spaces with seating and wider pavements.


The implementation of the traffic filter at the junction of Charterhouse Street and St John Street will mean that whilst all destinations will still be accessible by motor vehicle, some journeys will require different routes to those that are used at present. For more information, please review the "St John Street traffic access" document in the documents tab to the right.




Get involved

Complete our survey

We encourage you to give us your views on the designs by filling in our survey online, or collecting a paper copy from:

  • Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street, EC1V 4NB

  • Islington Town Hall reception, Upper Street, N1 2UD


Attend a public event

Online meeting (via Microsoft Teams) - Tuesday 12 November
  • Join us on Tuesday 12 November from 6.30pm - 7:30pm to hear more and ask questions about the project and the design decisions
  • sign up to the event using the link on the top right of this page before 12 noon on Tuesday 12 November. A recording of the presentation from this initial meeting will be available on this page once the event has taken place.

In-person event #1 - Cowcross Gallery, Cowcross Street - Friday 15 November

  • Come to review the designs in person and discuss your comments with officers on Friday 15 November from 4:30pm - 7:30pm at the Cowcross Gallery, 78 Cowcross Street
  • please note that as capacity for this event will be limited, and if necessary, priority will be given to residents and businesses of the project area and neighbouring streets
  • sign up to the event using the link on the top right of this page before 11.59pm on Thursday 14 November or complete a paper registration at Finsbury Library, or Islington Town Hall reception before midday on Thursday 14 November

In-person event #2 - Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street - Thursday 28 November

  • Come to review the designs in person and discuss your comments with officers on Thursday 28 November between 5:30pm and 7:30pm at Finsbury Library, 245 St John Street, EC1V 4NB
  • please sign up for this event using the link on the top right of this page by 11.59pm on Wednesday 27 November, or complete a paper registration at Finsbury Library, or Islington Town Hall reception, before 12noon on Wednesday 27 November so we can have an idea of the numbers of people who will attend. In the case that the event becomes too crowded, we may ask that you wait outside until space becomes available.

Next steps

Our consultation proposals are based around what local people and businesses have told us you want to see improved in the area.

Once we have heard your views on our plans through the consultation, we will use your feedback to make any final design changes.

  • We would like to collect your comments and suggestions about the designs that have been shared.

    We really appreciate you taking the time to fill in this survey - thank you.



    Take Survey
    Share St John Street Public Realm survey on Facebook Share St John Street Public Realm survey on Twitter Share St John Street Public Realm survey on Linkedin Email St John Street Public Realm survey link
Page last updated: 11 Dec 2024, 04:57 PM