Jean Lambert, the Green MEP for London, helped launch the Camden and Islington Green Party’s Walk King’s Cross campaign on Friday 3 December. The campaign calls for the roads around the station to be made more pedestrian-friendly and safer for all users.
Jean, whose office is in the area on Gray’s Inn Road, said: "I am horrified that the millions of commuters, tourists and Londoners using the King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston stations every year face an obstacle course of railings, short-term "green men" that trap pedestrians in the middle of roads, and even crossroads on which there is no pedestrian provision whatsoever. As somebody who works in the area it’s an issue that affects me and my staff daily.
"Given that Transport for London has declared 2011 the Year of Walking it is disgraceful that a major entry-point to the city is so difficult to navigate by foot. Pedestrians with disabilities are likely to find the area particularly dangerous and difficult. But this is also an opportunity. The changes to be made need not cost a great deal of cash. Simply removing some of the railings, appropriately phasing traffic lights and improving signage could make a huge difference."
Jean met Caroline Russell of Islington Green Party and Natalie Bennet of Camden Green Party to launch the campaign.
Caroline said: "It should be a fundamental principle that main transport corridors function for pedestrians as well as cars. Pedestrians have effectively been ‘designed out’ of this space. Walking is free, healthy and requires no specialist equipment, making it an ideal transport choice in difficult economic times."
Natalie added: "The Ossulston St intersection is a prime example of this problem. There is no pedestrian light and walkers must dodge through the large numbers of bicycles on this major cycle route and the left-turning traffic off Euston Road. The fact that the disadvantaged community of St Pancras and Somers Town ward, to the north of the Euston Road, faces difficulties to cross it and to access the many facilities in Bloomsbury, helps to magnify its deprivation."