The latest news - updated 06/06/2008

06/06/2008 at 13:46

Masterplanning from the Ground Up Space Syntax are world experts in public space - they're the people who re-did Traflagar Square. Now they've found the money to come and help Archway do our own masterplan of the area. Watch this space to find out when and where it's going to be happening.

Kate

06/06/2008 at 13:43

Feelgood Market
Archway Market and St John’s Church are working, with support from Islington, to put together a Feelgood Festival for Archway

Saturday 7th June
10am to 5pm

Corner of Holloway Road and St Johns Grove
Attractions include an all abilities keep fit class, juggling and drumming classes, backgammon and rowing competitions, herbal medicine and shitatsu consultations, kids face painting, junk musical instrument making, organic food, Caribbean cuisine and speciality market, percussion parade, Holloway Jug Band, live music and cabaret.

Kate

25/03/2008 at 14:31

Lobby the GLA to tackle Archway's One-Way System Now It’s obvious to most that Archway’s one-way/gyratory system does not work. It does nothing for traffic flow, disrupts pedestrian flow, and slices the town centre down the middle. Residents have been campaigning for the past three years for the removal of the gyratory system, and a return to 2-way traffic. The gyratory is congested for much of the day, resulting in high levels of noise and pollution, making it difficult for pedestrians and cyclists to access bus stops and underground station, and discouraging public transport users from spending in local shops. Professional studies have shown that the island in the centre of the gyratory could easily be re-attached to its surroundings by making Lower Highgate Hill (the western arm in front of the tube station) buses only, returning the remainder to 2-way working. Although blighted by noise and pollution the island still supports a local church and community centre and some of Archway's trademark independent businesses. The GLA has allocated £250,000 to consider the best way to redesign the roads at Archway. A consultant has been appointed and there are those black rubber lines across some of the roads to count vehicles and help come up with the best solution for both pedestrians and vehicles. Counts show that almost as many pedestrians use the gyratory as cars, one strong argument for making it a lot more pedestrian-friendly - though there are plenty more. The problem is, as yet no money has been allocated to do the work which will be recommended BUT again there’s that chance to push for the money – the GLA elections. We need to lobby the mayoral and GLA assembly candidates to make sure that they promise to deal with the Archway gyratory as a priority. It’s already on a list of 12 one-way systems to be removed. The candidates tell us they've already had a surprising number of letters on the subject - and that makes sure they know it's something the voters care about. So if you haven't already written, please drop a line to: Jennette Arnold (Labour) jennette.arnold@london.gov.uk Meral Ece (Lib-Dem) meral.ece@islington.gov.uk Aled Fisher (Green) a.d.fisher@lse.ac.uk Alexander Ellis (Conservative) alexander@ellis4London.com Please also write to the main major mayoral candidates: Sian Berry (Green) press@greenparty.org.uk Brian Paddick (Lib-Dem) brian.paddick@libdems.org.uk o Ken Livingstone (Labour) mayor@london.gov.uk Boris Johnson (Conservative) info@backboris.com

Kate

25/03/2008 at 14:28

Lobby the GLA for a New Tube Station Transport for London is going to be spending £45 million to provide step-free access at Archway station. Installation work is planned to start next year, going on three years and causing us a lot of disruption, closing the mall, and bringing heavy plant and lorries to the centre of the area. The scheme doesn’t allow for any improvements to the station itself however – the project team working on the plan has admitted that a new façade wouldn’t cost much more than refurbishing the existing one and so giving us a new station. What is more, TfL’s new head of design has announced improved standards of design on all new works and the need to connect underground stations better with their surrounding area. So, whatever they are saying right now, TfL can find the money to give us a new station, something like the new glass Jubilee line stations, housing stalls selling things like coffee and newspapers, making it a more pleasant and safer place to be, replacing the two-storey Portakabin they provided us with last time, which is lying empty and unused above the station level. A sparkling new station would make all the difference to Archway, encouraging landowners, investors and shopkeepers to see the whole area in a more positive light. And given that TfL built the Archway Tower, they really do owe us one. Both the mayor and the GLA assembly members are going to be elected on 1 May so we have the ideal opportunity to lobby them about this. Please write to the GLA assembly candidates for our area asking for a new Station: Jennette Arnold (Labour) jennette.arnold@london.gov.uk Meral Ece (Lib-Dem) meral.ece@islington.gov.uk Aled Fisher (Green) a.d.fisher@lse.ac.uk Alexander Ellis (Conservative) alexander@ellis4London.com Please also write to the main major mayoral candidates: Sian Berry (Green) press@greenparty.org.uk Brian Paddick (Lib-Dem) brian.paddick@libdems.org.uk o Ken Livingstone (Labour) mayor@london.gov.uk Boris Johnson (Conservative) info@backboris.com

Kate

16/03/2006 at 18:30

15 Metre Phone Mast Application

Hutchinson 3G are applying to erect a base mast in Station Road. They have only contacted a limited number of households about this and did so on 13th December with the closing date for comments Boxing Day. Not surprisingly it seems only one resident found the time to reply.

The application is now going ahead. Roger O'Kelly (rogerokelly@hotmail.com) is co-ordinating the response on this and has been liaising with Mast Sanity who tell him that contrary to what most councils say, isues regarding health and even fears of potential ill health are good grounds for arguing that the site is inappropriate.

Kate