Safety boost for busy Holloway Road crossing

Transport chiefs have pledged to improve a notorious pedestrian crossing in Islington, following lobbying from Islington Council.

The busy crossing on Holloway Road outside Highbury and Islington Station was the scene of a serious accident in November, which left a woman with life-changing injuries.

In response, council leader Cllr Catherine West wrote to Transport for London asking for pedestrian countdown - electronic signs which tells people how long they have to cross the road - to be installed.

Transport for London, which is responsible for Holloway Road, has now confirmed it will install pedestrian countdown at the crossing, hopefully before the end of the financial year.

Cllr West said: "This is a very busy crossing, used by thousands of people each the day, but the lights don't give people long to cross and people can be caught out.

"Pedestrian countdown will help make the junction safer and I'd like to thank Transport for London for agreeing to put it in."

Since June 2009 there have been nine accidents at the crossing, including three serious accidents.