Highbury East

Click here to go to this ward's local website.

John Gilbert (john.gilbert@islington.gov.uk)

Terry Stacy (terry.stacy@islington.gov.uk)

Laura Willoughby MBE (laura.willoughby@islington.gov.uk)

Surgery details: Councillors Gilbert, Stacy or Willoughby second Saturday of the month from 11.00am at Central Library, 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 1PF.

To find out more about what's going on in Highbury East visit http://www.highburyeast.org.uk

Focus on Highbury East Ward

Summer 2008

More Improvements to Highbury Fields

Your local Liberal Democrat Councillors are committed to improving and protecting this unique and well-used open space for local residents and visitors alike.

Record amounts of funding have been secured by your Councillors. Spending on facilities on and around Highbury Fields has begun, and more is planned.

Already we have seen:

- Over £1 million spent on the extension to Highbury Pool to improve the gym and sauna, and to build new fitness rooms;

- The installation of solar panels on the roof of Highbury Pool to reduce its energy costs;

- New fencing and gates at the Childrens' Play Area;

- New benches and litter bins installed, with more on the way;

- Repairs to fencing around the park;

- Soil and turf repairs underway and new planting coming shortly.

Cllr. Terry Stacy, who has been leading the campaign to get Highbury Fields improved, said, "Working with local residents, the Council has developed a clear vision for this great open space. These are just a few of the improvements people told us they want to see."

He was joined by fellow Highbury East Cllr. Laura Willoughby, who said, "We hope this is just the beginning. There is still a lot to do, so watch this space!"

Update on Lorry Ban Crackdown

After positive feedback about measures to reduce abuse of Riversdale Road and surrounding streets by lorries, the Council has undertaken a second consultation about the location of restrictions like those on Theberton Street.

Residents told the Council and local Councillors that, whilst they supported the principle of the restrictions, they were not happy about the suggested location and its effect on Mountgrove Road.

As a result, a new location has been indentified and has been consulted on. The new location is on Riversdale Road, closer to its junction with Green Lanes, which will keep lorries out of Riversdale Road, Mountgrove Road, and surrounding streets. Local Councillor John Gilbert said, "This is a good example of the Council listening to residents and taking their views on board."

A Safer St. Augustine's Path

As a result of the work of your local Liberal Democrat Councillors, St. Augustine's Path is a lot safer for local residents.

New lighting has been installed along the passage between Highbury New Park and Petherton Road. Anti-moped barriers have also been installed and the walkway has been resurfaced.

This joins Kelross passage, which benefited from the same works last year.

The Council's Community Safety Chief Cllr. Terry Stacy said, "Residents told us these areas were of concern to them, so we listened and acted."

Bike Racks Bonanza

Over 50 new bike racks have been installed across Highbury as a result of your Liberal Democrat Councillors.

Using money from their Area Committee allocation, Terry, Laura and John put forward sites for new bike racks in our area. These include additional bike racks outside Central Library on Fieldway Crescent, around Highbury & Islington Station, on Highbury Place and Highbury Crescent, along Highbury Park, at Highbury Barn and at the Blackstock Road/Riversdale Road junction.

Cllr. John Gilbert, who is a keen cyclist himself, said, "These cycle racks will make a big differene to local cyclists. If anyone has any further suggestions for cycle rack locations, let us know."

Let There Be Light!

We all know that good lighting in our streets and open spaces is important in fighting crime and making us feel safe.

Already the street lighting in many roads around Highbury Fields has been improved. Now it is the time to improve the lighting on Highbury Fields itself. 37 new lampposts have been installed at key locations across the Fields including the area outside Highbury pool on Highbury Crescent, on Queen's Path between Highbury Place and Highbury Crescent, and on the walkway between Highbury Terrace and Church Path. These are of the traditional style in keeping with the area.

Cllr. Terry Stacy, pictured right, said, "Residents told us what they wanted to see improved on the fields, and we listened and delivered. Along with many streets in the area, lighting on the Fields is to be improved."

Resurfacing Highbury's Roads

12 Roads across Highbury East have been resurfaced as a result of lobbying by your local Liberal Democrat Councillors.

These include Baalbec Road, Liberia Road, Fergus Road, Gallia Road, Corsica Street, Calabria Road, Framfield Road and Melgund Road.

They join Catherall Road, which was done last year. Watch this space for more roads to follow.