Rage against road signs as traffic chaos strikes Cally

Traffic jams cause frustrated drivers to take matters into their own hands, reportedly throwing road signs onto the pavement last Saturday night.

Transport for London confirmed that Wharfdale road was closed off for the weekend as work was underway to replace controversial traffic lights, on a section of Caledonian road, with a pedestrian controlled system.

But road signs warning drivers of the weekend closure were reportedly amiss, with some bus drivers unaware of the diversion.

Two buses, a large Royal Mail van and two HGV trucks were among the many to get stuck along these diversion routes.

Residents on a Caledonian road junction were forced to “shepherd” traffic coming from York Way was forced up into the narrow roads of Crinan Street and New Wharf Street.

Local resident, Nick Patrick, 62, filmed the commotion at 7.45pm capturing a 51 bus getting stuck at the bottom of New Wharf Street. Speaking to Islington Now, he said this was the second bus of the day unable to turn out and “people had to help shepherd the traffic.”

 

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said, “A huge Royal Mail lorry in Crinen Street couldn’t make the turn and he had no option but to reverse back. I had to stand behind him and make sure he didn’t bump into anything.”

Speaking about the incident, local councillor Paul Convery said: “My hunch is the contractors failed to put in the correct diversions. I am going to see if there are any contract penalties for this sort of error.”

Wharfdale road has been at the centre of an eighteen-month battle to reverse traffic lights, installed in 2014, with the original pedestrian controlled lights. 12,000 vehicles, including six bus routes daily pass through the residential road.

It was announced in September that Islington Council would return the pedestrian controlled lights after numerous complaints by residents that high levels of congestion were creating ‘toxic fumes’ and “nightmarish” levels of sound.

Ewa Idzik, 50, pictured, who has lived on Wharfdale road for 21 years and started the Cally South group after waking up ‘17 times a night’ because of increased traffic said, “It was like the villagers were revolting. It’s a big victory.”

She added: ‘The air pollution is over the limit. It was over the limit before and is ridiculous. It is against every single Islington policy and government policy. More needs to be done. We are going to still be fighting. We’ve got environmental lawyers on our side.’