Haringey Council approves anti-suicide measures for Archway Bridge after 10-year fight

Archway Bridge Polly Hancock

Campaigners are celebrating victory in a 10-year fight for anti-suicide measures at Archway Bridge after Haringey Council gave plans the green light this evening.

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The anti-suicide measures which will be installed at Archway Bridge The anti-suicide measures which will be installed at Archway Bridge

A 3.1m high steel fence will be erected on the inside of the notorious bridge in Highgate to prevent people from taking their life.

The bridge – also known as the Hornsey Lane Bridge – lies on the boundary of Haringey and Islington. It meant the plans put forward by Transport for London (TfL) had to be approved by both Islington Council and Haringey.

Islington gave the plans the go ahead earlier this month, paving the way for Haringey to give the final go ahead for the safety proposals.

It is hoped the measures will drastically cut the number of suicide attempts at the bridge.

The anti-suicide measures which will be installed at Archway Bridge The anti-suicide measures which will be installed at Archway Bridge

The Hornsey Lane Bridge Anti-Suicide Campaign has been fighting for preventative measures since 2010 but there have been calls for a safety fence since 2005, when plans were shelved.

The latest measures were backed by Highgate-based mental health charity SANE and Camden Council.

But conservationists including the Victorian Society and Highgate Conservation Area Advisory Committee expressed concern that the measures would damage the appearance of the Grade II-listed bridge.

For confidential emotional support in a crisis, contact the Samaritans around the clock on 08457 90 90 90.

For more on this story, read next week’s edition of the Ham&High and Islington Gazette.