An Islington Council-funded scheme is bringing a smart feel and safer streets to Finsbury Park, N4.
Commuters and residents had found the nighttime pavements under the mainline railway bridge dark and threatening. But now a smart new architectural lighting scheme is giving the area a brand new makeover with its cleaner, brighter look.
The alternating blue and white LEDs on Seven Sisters Road are highly energy efficient and save money over conventional street lighting.
Cllr John Gilbert, Executive Member with responsibility for regeneration projects in Finsbury Park, said: "Residents told us the bridge was a key issue in the local area - they just didn't feel safe walking under it.
"If the area under the railway bridge was once a barrier for pedestrians with its dark shadows, the new lighting has made the pavement feel much safer and made the bridge something of a feature.
"If the feedback is positive, we'll look at extending the new lights to the second railway bridge over Stroud Green Road.
"It's all part of improving Islington's streets. Across the borough we are investing millions to make journeys better for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users."
Over the past few years, Islington Council has been installing feature lighting to create more desirable, brighter and safer pedestrian environments at night.
Islington's first urban lighting project was the award-winning 'Promenade of Light' at Old Street, EC1. This was followed by a colourful landscape and pavement lighting project in Archway, N19, and a blue pavement lighting project in the Nag's Head Town Centre, N7 - both designed by the UK's Lighting Designer of the Year.
Research commissioned after the installation of the Archway scheme showed that 94 per cent of respondents felt that the lighting made the area look better, 76 per cent felt that the lighting made the area feel safer, and 60 per cent of respondents agreed that the lighting will help to reduce crime in the area.
Islington Council will be hearing residents views on a wider raft of street improvements in the Finsbury Park area as part of the public consultation 'Improving your streets in Finsbury Park', running 1-26 September 2008.
For a copy of the consultation document call: 020 7527 2257; email: transportplanning@islington.gov.uk or visit: www.islington.gov.uk/Council/CouncilNews/Consultation
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PHOTOS: Cllr John Gilbert, Executive Member with responsibility for regeneration projects in Finsbury Park, with Courtney Bailey, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at FinFuture – a local group representing residents, community groups and businesses.
Page Last Updated: 29 August 2008