Cloudesley Association – September 2023 Update
Dear Residents
1. Barnsbury & Laycock Traffic Plans – Low Traffic Neighbourhood
Islington Council are proposing a new Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) development in Barnsbury. The plans have now been published and can be found on the link below. We have also attached a map from the Council website showing the proposed 15 new traffic filters.
https://www.islington.gov.uk/roads/people-friendly-streets/liveable-neighbourhoods/barnsbury-laycock
We urge all members to study these plans carefully then use the links included in the website to respond to the Council by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), survey or attendance at one or more workshops. These plans will significantly impact how road transportation vehicle users can access most homes and shops in the area and how they can get from one side of the borough to the other. Consequently we anticipate that residents will have views on these proposals, positive or negative, and we would encourage residents to share their views and constructive feedback on these initial proposals with Islington Council prior to 22 October 2023.
Note that residents of the Cloudesley Estate will be particularly impacted by the new filter on Copenhagen Street by Barnsbury Road. This will restrict access to and from areas west of our estate. Access to areas to the east will involve Liverpool Road, which is likely to become more congested, and then a long detour via Holloway Road and then the Highbury roundabout. Access from the North via Thornhill Road appears to be impossible due to three new traffic filters.
Following our last meeting in January, where a number of residents expressed misgivings about the Council’s LTN intentions, the Keep Barnsbury Moving (KBM) group was set up. Anyone wishing to learn more about this group and to help with their campaign to stop the Barnsbury LTN should contact them via their website at www.keepbarnsburymoving.com.
2. Cloudesley Association Event – THANK YOU
Thanks to all who joined us at The Crown Pub last week - it was a great turnout and we hope that you enjoyed the event as much as we did. It was lovely to see so many residents, long-standing and new.
3. INVITATION to Institution and Induction of the Revd Caroline Titley as Rector of the Parish of Barnsbury – 8 October 2023
We have been asked to share this lovely invitation with you all:
The Churchwardens of the Parish of Barnsbury are pleased to invite you
to the Institution by the Right Reverend Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell (Bishop of Stepney) and the Induction by the Venerable Peter Farley-Moore (Archdeacon of Hackney)
of the Reverend Caroline Titley
as Rector of the Parish of Barnsbury
on Sunday, 8 October 2023 at 10.30am
at St Andrew's Church, Thornhill Square, London N1 1BQ.
Refreshments will be served after the service.
RSVP to Rachel Walker, Parish Administrator (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the parish as the legalities of the re-organisation are completed and Caroline starts her new role as Rector, having been licensed as Priest-in-Charge last year. We would be delighted if you could join us.
4. Victoria Line – Victoria Line Noise and Vibration in Residents Homes between Highbury & Islington and Kings X tube stations - UPDATE
Neil Smith has kindly provided us with the following update:
“As you know, regular grinding of the rail tracks to minimise rail corrugation, the main cause of Tube noise in residents homes, is the only mitigation available for residents in the short to medium term.
TFL have recently, very worryingly, reduced rail grinding in our area by more than 50% after two and a half years of a comprehensive and effective 6 monthly grinding programme.
Grinding is a routine and essential part of the maintenance of rail tracks because it maximises the lives of both the rails and rolling stock by eliminating the corrugation created naturally by the passage of trains which damages both.
From 2015/16 to 2020 TFL ceased grinding operations in our area and refused to restart it despite the increasing complaints by staff, passengers and residents - unions representing the whole network threatened strike action if the problem was not addressed. Following the appointment in late 2019 of Heidi Alexander as Deputy Mayor of London for Transport she initiated a programme of comprehensive rail grinding every 6 months until she left her post in mid 2022. Almost immediately following her departure TFL announced a significant cutback in the grinding programme. From every 6 months to every 12 months and only about 50% of each track instead of the whole of each track, north and southbound.
This is very disappointing and worrying. We understand that the demands and needs for grinding are increasing across the network. TFL has not added grinding capacity to meet it.
The good news is that because of the efforts and support of our elected representatives in particular Sem Moema our GLA Member and including Rowena Champion, Islington Council, Emily Thornberry, MP we have a 6 monthly meeting with the new deputy mayor responsible for transport, Seb Dance and his team to review the situation.
In addition the GLA Environment Committee are looking at “noise pollution” in London because it is a serious health issue.
We must keep up the pressure on TFL because this is a serious problem not only for us but for passengers and staff. Any reduction in our efforts will increase the risk of further reductions in TFL’s action and investment to minimise noise and vibration in our homes.”
Anyone wishing to contact Neil for further info or to be added to his general distribution list can contact him on the following email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
5. Barnard Park – Progress Report
Great progress is being made on the redevelopment of Barnard Park. Some photos below for those who haven’t walked around there this past couple of weeks.
Phase 1 of the works in Barnard Park involves the building of a new 9 v 9 3G football pitch. A 3G pitch is a synthetic surface that replicates natural grass when playing sports like football and rugby. It differs from astroturf because it replicates bounce, impact and overall performance – hopefully this also makes it safer for players, reducing friction burns and injuries. This work is scheduled for completion by December 2023.
Phase 2 of the works involves the building of a new community hub building, improved pathways with direct routes through the park and better accessibility, improved biodiversity and habitat for wildlife, a new grass area, new tree planting and a new entrance to Sheen Grove. These works begin in January 2024 but no completion date has yet been set.
6. Kings X and Islington Square
A few highlights taking place in Kings Cross over the next few weeks:
• Outdoor Dynamic Pilates with Ten Health & Fitness – this is mat-based pilates on the steps down the canal running every Tuesday and Thursday throughout September from 8am. Classes are 45 mins long. If you want to join, book here: https://www.ten.co.uk/class-timetable?location=13&onemonth&classes=242
• Boutique by Shelter Events – Boutique by Shelter is hosting a series of events this autumn. All Saints have donated over 2000 pieces of stock to Shelter and all profits go towards people at risk of homelessness or struggling with housing issues. Pop Ups will be running in the Coal Drops Yard shop, Boutique by Shelter from 28 September to 10 October.
• Classic Car Boot Sale – this event is back from 30 September to 1 October, bringing the best in classic cars, vintage goods, street food, cocktails and music. This time there will be a display of MINI Coopers from across the ages to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Mini Cooper S.
A highlight taking place in Islington Square over the next few weeks:
• Upper Street Market - this will now take place every Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm.
If you are aware of any event, consultation or news item that you would like us to include in our next newsletter, please let us know.
As ever, if you know of any neighbour who is not on the Cloudesley Association email distribution list, please pass this email on and/or ask them to provide us with their contact details (to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) so that they can be kept in the loop.
Amanda and Nick
On behalf of
The Cloudesley Association
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.cloudesleyassociation.org
