Overview

Update - 11 February 2016

We have made a clarification on Question Two in our survey. Question Two is a ranking question where we ask respondents to rank what they think are the most and least important considerations for improving King’s Cross, where 1 is the most important and 10 is the least important. For this question a number can only be selected once.

Update ends





In partnership with the London Boroughs of Camden and Islington, TfL has been reviewing the road network at King’s Cross with the aim of delivering substantial improvements.

King’s Cross is changing at an incredible pace. Transport improvements have led to a series of major new developments being built, including new public spaces.

Residents and businesses have told us that they find King’s Cross difficult to get around by road because of the gyratory systems. They have also told us that they would like to see a better environment for pedestrians and cyclists in the area and think that there is a great transport interchange, linking Network Rail, Underground, Eurostar and bus services.

To support this change, and maintain the transport interchange, we developed proposals to transform the road network. We worked on a number of projects which aim to overcome the challenges outlined above.

Initial safety improvements for cyclists at King’s Cross completed in May 2015

This initial consultation considers the plans for removing the King’s Cross gyratory systems

Consultation on pedestrian, cycle and safety improvements on Euston Road to take place later in 2016



The plans for King’s Cross are still at an early stage and we asked to hear your views to help inform the designs we take forward during the next year. A second consultation in early 2017 will provide more detailed information on the benefits and impacts of any final proposed changes.

The proposed changes at King’s Cross are part of our Road Modernisation Plan - the biggest investment in London’s roads for a generation, consisting of hundreds of projects to transform roads, junctions, bridges, tunnels and pedestrian areas. Working with London’s boroughs, we will make our roads safer and more reliable, and London will be a better place in which to live, work and visit.

More information about our planned improvements in the King’s Cross and Euston Road area

What are we proposing at King's Cross?

We are considering a number of changes in the wider King’s Cross area, including revisions to the gyratory systems and new facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

The roads within the gyratory that we are considering changes to are:

A201 King’s Cross Road

A501 Euston Road, Pentonville Road, Penton Rise, Gray’s Inn Road,

Acton Street, Swinton Street

A5202 Pancras Road, Midland Road, Goods Way

A5203 Caledonian Road, Wharfdale Road

A5200 York Way



We have developed a set of preliminary ideas for the road network in the King’s Cross area and we are now seeking your views on these. The changes aim to simplify the local road network for all road users and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. They include:

Introducing two-way traffic on many of the roads that are currently one-way. This would reduce the length of some motor vehicle and cycle journeys

Reducing motor traffic on some (mostly residential) streets to improve the local environment. This would benefit residents, pedestrians and cyclists

Providing new and improved pedestrian crossings at key junctions. This would improve the area for pedestrians

Improving the local cycle network through the provision of new cycle facilities. These could include contra-flow cycle lanes on remaining one-way roads as well as new cycle crossings at key junctions.



The plans would mean some changes to local journey times and likely traffic restrictions, both of which will be further explained in a future consultation.

Click here for a larger version of the above map (PDF)

Click here for a larger version of the above map (PDF)

Impact on traffic

Journey times on each of the roads forming part of the scheme are likely to change. This is likely to affect all road traffic, including changes to local bus routes, which we would consult on at a later date. We intend to maintain public transport provision (including buses and taxis) to serve the mainline stations.

Removing the gyratory would make some journeys more direct, such as from Angel to Eustion, and from King's Place to St Andrew's Gardens:

As a result of two-way traffic operation, we expect through traffic on some streets, including Swinton Street, Acton Street and Wharfdale Road, to reduce and to see an improvement in the local environment. In order to achieve these plans, there would be some changes to the turning movements in and out of roads. This would include the introduction of new permitted and banned turns.

New cycling facilities

The level of the proposed new cycling infrastructure is likely to vary depending on location. In some places fully segregated cycle lanes may be provided; other arrangements may include lesser degrees of segregation and sharing bus lanes. We will continue to examine the most appropriate provision for cyclists as our proposals develop further. We are keen to understand the cycle routes used and where best to link with other cycle proposals.

Our initial proposals look to provide north-south and east-west movements on quieter streets parallel to busier ones like Grays Inn Road, York Way, Euston Road and Pentonville Road.

Cyclists travelling north-south would be encouraged to use the following roads:

King’s Cross Road, Penton Rise, linking to the existing quiet street Rodney Street King’s Cross Road, Lorenzo Street, use the new proposed cycle crossing to link to the existing quiet street Calshot Street King’s Cross Road, use the new proposed cycle crossing to link to the existing quiet street Northdown Street Existing quiet street Belgrove Street, use the new proposed cycle crossing to link to Pancras Road onto the existing cyclist and pedestrian only King’s Boulevard From North-South Cycle Super Highway (CS6) Judd Street, use the proposed Central London Grid connection to Midland Road (consultation runs 15 February – 20 March here)



Cyclists travelling east-west will be encouraged to use the following roads:

Acton Street, linking to existing quiet street Cromer Street Existing quiet street Collier Street, Killick Street, Wharfdale Road, linking to Goods Way



The full impact of the proposals on the local road network is currently being evaluated. We will consult again once our proposals are further developed and more information about potential impacts is known.

Below are two artist’s impressions that show how the streets might look if the scheme is progressed:



A n artist 's impression of Gray's Inn Road towards Kings Cross Bridge Corner

A n artist 's impression of Lighthouse Corner



Other consultations in King’s Cross

We are also consulting at the same time on the North-South Cycle Superhighway, CS6, from Stonecutter Street near Holborn Viaduct to King’s Cross.

See tfl.gov.uk/cycle-north-south by 20 March 2016 or take a leaflet from one of the events.

As part of the Central London Grid, Camden Council is consulting on proposed cycling improvements to link with the North-South Cycle Superhighway at the junction of Judd Street and Euston Road, continuing along Midland Road from 15 February to 20 March 2016.

See consultations.wearecamden.org/culture-environment/midland for details.