Islington Council introduces 37th school street in Holloway

Islington Council said that plans for a timed, camera-enforced school street outside Sacred Heart Catholic Primary in Georges Road were put on hold in 2020 after objections from a nearby MOT garage.

To avoid these customers facing fines, while ensuring the street is no longer used as a cut through from Holloway Road, a trial 24/7 filter has now been placed at the junction with Eden Grove instead.

Locating the filter halfway up the road means cars will still be able to access and exit the garage from the Holloway Road-side.

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It comes as part of a council package to improve the area around the school, which also includes widening the pavement at the junction of Greary Street and Georges Road.

Another school to have benefitted from similar improvements recently is St Joseph’s Primary School, at both its Dartmouth Park Hill and Highgate Hill entrances, alongside Montem and Samuel Rhodes primary schools in Hornsey Road.

Changes include new greening and seating areas, improvements to pedestrian crossings, widening pavements and new cycle parking.

Outside St Joseph’s, the council has created a new 'continuous crossing' at the junction of Highgate Hill and Waterlow Road.

This means the pavement does not dip as it reaches the road and instead continues on to the other side, encouraging drivers to slow down.

Councillors use the new 'continuous crossing' outside St Joseph's Primary School (Image: Islington Council)

Cllr Rowena Champion, the council’s executive member for environment, air quality and transport, said: “We’re determined to create a more equal borough for everyone, including Islington’s schoolchildren.

“As part of that, we want to ensure Islington is a child-friendly place, where young people can grow-up in green, welcoming streets, free from the negative effects of air pollution.  

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“That’s why we’re creating more environmentally-friendly and attractive spaces outside schools, where the toxic impacts of air pollution are reduced.

“By doing so, we’re support improvements in air quality, and are directly supporting children’s health, learning and development.  

“We’re looking forward to seeing the benefits that these changes bring, and to continuing our efforts to create a greener Islington for all.” 

The council has also recently proposed installing another school street outside Christ the King Primary School in Tollington Park, with a formal consultation closing earlier this month.