Old Street Roundabout Finished After 5 Years, Minor Works to Continue
The Old Street roundabout in London is finally complete after five years, but minor works will still be ongoing until March 2025
Old Street, London, TfL, Construction, Road Safety
London: The Old Street roundabout has finally wrapped up after five long years of construction. It cost around £132 million and was completed in September 2024. But don’t get too comfy just yet; some minor works are still set to continue until March 2025.
They made some big changes around Old Street station, like adding cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossings. Plus, they modernized the station itself with new entrances, lifts, and a roof. It was a pretty massive project!
Originally, they thought it would be done by June 2024, but things took longer than expected. Helen Cansick from TfL mentioned that Old Street used to be one of the most dangerous junctions in London, so it was crucial to make it safer.
There were a lot of challenges along the way, including the pandemic, which really slowed things down. They even had to redesign the main entrance to the station and get extra planning permissions for lifts from Islington Council.
During construction, they found some unexpected utilities underground, which added to the delays. Now, the northwest arm of the roundabout is closed to traffic, and there’s a new public space for everyone to enjoy.
Overall, the project aims to create a safer environment and reduce the risk of accidents. It’s been a long journey, but it looks like the changes will be worth it in the end!