New traffic measures in Islington will see increased safety improvements locally following a collaborative partnership between the council and emergency services.<br><br>The council and emergency services have been working in partnership to devise a new 20mph zone and local lorry ban scheme in Archway.<br><br>Bounded by Holloway, Seven Sisters, Hornsey and Fairbridge Roads, the Cornwallis area contains no fewer than 4,500 homes and is the scene of many accidents, often due to excessive speed. <br><br>Councillor Bridget Fox, executive member for sustainability, said: <br><br>“Local residents tell us they want safer streets and the Council is keen to act. Traffic in this area is regularly recorded at speeds over 35mph. What's more 6% of vehicles are big lorries - which should be sticking to main roads.<br><br>We've worked to design a scheme to reduce the amount and speed of through traffic while keeping easy access for the emergency services.” <br><br>After consultation with emergency services, the council reduced the height of speed cushions along a major east-west route through the area and widened width restrictions to allow emergency vehicles through easily, whilst making it difficult to speed or ‘rat-run’.<br><br>“The Council and the emergency services are all in the business of saving lives. We're proud that Islington’s traffic-calming measures have been so successful that road deaths and injuries fell by by 38% between 2003 and 2004. And Islington's ambulance teams have some of the best response rates in London. Our partnership working is having really positive results." Councillor Fox said.<br><br>John Huggins from the London Ambulance Service in Islington also praised the positive outcomes resulting from the partnership.<br><br>“We are really pleased with how the partnership has progressed and the way in which we have been able to assist the council with its designs for traffic-calming and road safety measures”.<br><br>“In this partnership, the improved communication between the two organisations means we get the best result possible, not only for the emergency services, but also the public that we serve.”<br><br>ENDS<br><br>Notes to editors:<br><br>Between January to December 2003 and January to December 2004, number of people killed or seriously injured fell from 162 to 101 – a decrease of 37.6%.<br><br>One of the government’s key objectives is to cut accident levels throughout the UK and it has set road safety targets, which must be met by all local authorities before 2010. These are<br>· to cut by 40% the number of people killed and seriously injured<br>· to cut by 50% the number of children killed and seriously injured<br>· to cut by 10% the number of people slightly injured.
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009