Islington Green Party welcomes Transport for London’s proposed investment in the open space on Grosvenor Avenue beside Canonbury Station. In recent years the paving and other landscape features on this attractive corner have deteriorated. With increased passenger numbers on the Overground line there is an opportunity for the space to better serve local people and businesses.
Islington Council’s public realm team is currently consulting on proposals for this space until this Friday 2nd March. As planning permission is not required for such work, this could be your last chance to have a say.
Canonbury Station
While council officers have made good progress in developing the scheme, Islington Green Party calls on the council to give officers and their landscape architects (Ireland Albrecht) more scope to fully realise their vision. We think the scheme should be:
– Bigger and bolder: Include the area directly outside the station entrance itself, which will otherwise look shabby in comparison to the proposed new paving and street furniture at the shops adjacent.
– More inclusive: Ensure that the best seating is not reserved solely for customers of the proposed café kiosk, as appears to be the case in the current proposals and in effect risks privatising public space.
– More sustainable: Include drinking-water bottle refill points and recycling facilities, to help Londoners save money and make more sustainable choices, and to ensure these facilities aren’t thought of too late and then clutter up the design.
Full information and feedback forms are available online
Alternatively, send your feedback directly to the council at publicrealm@islington.gov.uk. The consultation closes this Friday 2nd March 2018.
