Laura Reynolds

After This Weekend, Old Street Roundabout Is No Longer A Roundabout

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Image: TfL

It's been a long time coming, but progress is finally being made on the redesign of the Old Street Roundabout.

As of Monday 27 May, two-way traffic will flow around the roundabout — effectively ending its tenure as a roundabout, as the south-east section is temporarily closed to vehicles. Eventually, this section will reopen to vehicles, but the north-west section will be permanently closed to vehicles as of November 2019, to create a new public space.

As of Monday, turning right from Old Street west into City Road south will be permanently banned.

Some roads in the area will be closed from 9.30pm Friday 24 until the early hours of Monday 27 May for work to be done to allow for two-way traffic. Old Street west and City Road south are some of the routes affected — see the TfL website for full details, including diversions to bus routes in the area.

Nick Fairholme, TfL’s Director of Project and Programme Delivery, said:

Our work at Old Street will transform journeys for thousands of people in the area and make it much easier and safer to walk, cycle and use public transport. The switch to two-way traffic is a major milestone for the scheme and some road closures and changes to travel are needed for work to progress. I’d encourage everybody in the area to take extra care as traffic gets used to the new road layout.

Signs appeared in March 2019, warning of the works. Photo: Londonist

The transformation of the roundabout — which aims to make the junction safer for cyclists and pedestrians — should be completed by the end of 2020, including segregated cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossings. Find out more on the TfL website.