Nearly 300 local residents attended a consultation event on 5 November to help shape the future redevelopment of Archway.<br><br>The event was run by the multi-disciplinary team appointed by Islington Council to work on the Archway Development Framework. The consultant team includes MVA and Donaldsons and is being led by Building Design Partnership (BDP).<br><br>The framework will set out the future plans for Archway and the design principles to underpin the redevelopment.<br><br>This public event was the first of several opportunities for the community and other key stakeholders to have input into the process.<br><br>It presented a range of ideas of the type of redevelopment which might be appropriate for the area and asked participants to express their views on them. <br><br>The consultation showed there is a strong desire for a medium or low-density development which focuses on community needs and blends with the existing urban fabric. <br><br>Most people commented on the need to reclaim Archway as a public space and reduce the impacts of the transport hub such as traffic noise and pollution, community division and the danger of traffic for pedestrians.<br><br>The most popular idea seemed to be a central plaza with leisure facilities and a variety of shops, surrounded by offices and affordable housing.<br><br>The vast majority of attendees were in favour of removal of the Archway Tower, seeing it as an eyesore that lowers perceptions of the area and blocks out sunlight.<br><br>The issue of supermarkets provoked strong, contrasting views. Some thought they would adversely affect the existing smaller, independent shops and draw additional cars to the area. Others argued that a supermarket would make shopping more affordable for local people on lower incomes and would reduce the need for people to travel to other areas to shop. There was also considerable support for a market in the area.<br><br>The negative effects of traffic on the streetscape and quality of life were a hot issue. Suggested solutions varied from placing the gyratory in a tunnel, reverting back to two-way operation, fully or partially pedestrianising Highgate Hill (between the island and the Underground), and reallocating road space to wider pavements or dedicated cycle lanes, or shared lanes.<br><br>The poor-quality entrance to the Underground station generated a number of complaints, as did the difficulties in interchanging between bus and Underground, and between bus routes. There was also dissatisfaction with the bus stand on Vorley Road, with numerous complaints about noise and visual intrusion. <br><br>There was strong support for more pedestrian links at street level, to increase pedestrian safety (especially for children walking to the numerous local schools), and reinforce the role of Archway as a district centre.<br><br>Councillor Bridget Fox, Executive Member for Sustainability, said: “The results of this consultation showed that the people of Archway share the council's vision in improving their environment. <br><br>The most popular option was a central plaza as part of a low rise mixed-use development of offices, leisure facilities and shops. Problems associated with transport and traffic were also key to many respondents.<br><br>We look forward to continuing to work with residents to refine the vision for a future Archway that has a sense of community and is a destination for leisure, work and shopping, rather than just a place to just pass through.”<br><br>The formulation of the Archway Development Framework will be done in two stages.<br>BDP will use the feedback from this consultation event in the development of a scoping document which will set out the scale and types of development for Archway. They will also take into account the results of previous consultations, recent focus groups with minority groups and young people and workshops with residents’ associations and environmental groups, and the future consultation events planned with local shopkeepers and residents on estates.<br><br>The second stage will expand on the scoping document to develop masterplan options for the Archway Development Framework. <br><br>A further round of consultation will take place early in 2006, so that the final master plan options can be adopted by the council later in the year.<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009