A new public space is being created on one side of the roundabout beside the Shoreditch Grind coffee house, with two way traffic routed around the remaining three sides. Monday morning saw a right turn permanently banned from Old Street (west) into City Road (south). Not all traffic and cycle lanes will be available straight away.

The project aims to create a safer, more welcoming urban environment for all users and to make the space less intimidating for those travelling by bike. Segregated cycle lanes will be introduced around the redesigned road layout and a new entrance to the Underground station will be created.

Other examples of former traffic gyratories in the capital that have been redesigned to remove one side to traffic include Highbury Corner (completed 2019) and Trafalgar Square (2003).

London’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner Will Norman described Old Street as one of the busiest junctions in the capital and said he is pleased that it now operates in line with its final layout.

“It’s more important than ever that we make our roads safer for people walking and cycling to avoid a car-led recovery from the pandemic,” he added.

Transport for London’s project director Nick Fairholme said the work to transform Old Street station and roundabout ”will make a huge difference to everyone who travels through the area”.

(Photograph: Transport for London)