Highgate’s Lib Dem councillors have expressed their satisfaction with the new ‘unsuitable for HGVs’ signs at the junction of Archway Road and Muswell Hill Road. The new signs follow pressure from Highgate Lib Dem councillor, Bob Hare, to have the signs installed at the junction.

Bob Hare says the newly designed junction cannot accommodate large lorries turning left, and that the railings on the turn have regularly been hit by HGVs. There is one new sign at the turn and another about 100 metres further back on Archway Road.

Cllr Bob Hare comments:

“I am pleased that Transport for London have responded to safety concerns and installed these signs. HGVs should not try to approach Muswell Hill from Highgate along this road, and I hope the signs will be a constant reminder of this. They should access Muswell Hill via more suitable junctions on the North Circular.

“Although the signs are advisory rather than compulsory, I hope that any lorry drivers still set on using the turn will do so with great care. There is still more to be done to improve pedestrian safety at this important junction, and Lynne Featherstone and I will continue to monitor it closely.”

Bob Hare and the Lib Dems have achieved a number of safety improvements at the vital junction. The timing of lights has been made safer, as at one time the sequence allowed left turning traffic from the north to overlap with the green man illuminated for pedestrians. Shutters on Wood Lane lights have also been installed to prevent confusing green signals being seen incorrectly by drivers approaching from Southwood Lane.