A tired stretch of Old Street has been transformed into a tree-lined Promenade of Light thanks to a £1.5m joint project by Islington Council, EC1 New Deal and Transport for London.
The scheme came about following consultation with local people on how to improve the open space.
At 5.30pm on Thursday 19 October the completed scheme will be officially unveiled by Islington's Mayor, Cllr Jyoti Vaja with celebrations to include dancing, drumming and a samba parade performed by children from Toffee Park Adventure Playgorund, EC1.
Children from St Lukes Primary School have already made their mark, planting up 24 flower beds with colourful winter flowering plants.
Improvements to pedestrian area running west from the Old Street roundabout to Bath Street have created a modern boulevard, featuring coloured lighting, seating and resting areas, smart new paving and flower beds.
Cllr Lucy Watt, Executive Member for Environment said: "The Promenade of Light has taken a dead space and created a modern take on the traditional boulevard.
Designed around a stand of mature plane trees, it has created an accessible and beautifully designed open space that people working or living in the area can enjoy."
Islington Council is contributing £670,000, EC1 New Deal £500,000 and Transport for London £275,000.
EC1 New Deal board member and local resident, Rebecca Cresswell said:
"A real transformation has taken place. What was once a dilapidated area of Old Street is now much more attractive. It's a fantastic area for people to socialise, shop and relax."
Transport for London's Director of Borough Partnerships, Pat Hayes said:
''This project is a really good example of the working partnership between Transport for London , EC1 New Deal and Islington Council to make the local environment safer, more accessible and more attractive. I'm delighted that Transport for London has been able to support this project to regenerate the area.''
Scheme architects Tonkin Liu's design won a RIBA Urban Space prize in July 2005.
PHOTOCALL
5.30 - 7.30pm, Thursday 19 October
Old Street Promenade of Light
Between Bath Street and Old Street Roundabout, EC1
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008