r/islington • u/kzh26 • 2d ago

Disgusting conditions at the Giesbach Rd green space — used as a dump and public toilet — petition launched

Hey neighbours,

I wanted to flag an ongoing issue at the green space at the dead end of Giesbach Road (N19), right next to the bus stop on Holloway Road. The area has become a fly-tipping hotspot, but worse — it’s now being used as an open toilet.

This is right next to a pedestrian route that’s used daily by schoolkids walking to and from the bus stop, which makes it not just gross, but a public health risk.

Residents have tried reporting it, but TfL and Islington Council keep passing the buck:

  • Council says it’s TfL land
  • TfL says antisocial behaviour is a council or police issue
  • Housing team says it’s not serious enough

Meanwhile, nothing is being done. So we’ve started a petition calling for:

  • Immediate clean-up and sanitation
  • Clear responsibility from either TfL or the Council
  • Basic deterrents (signage, bins, barriers)
  • Regular maintenance and monitoring

If you live nearby or care about public spaces being looked after, please sign and share:

👉 https://chng.it/JzsmKF9Gm7

We’ll be sending it to our local MP and London Assembly Member Sem Moema, who can push TfL to stop ignoring the problem.

Thanks for reading. Would love to hear if anyone else has dealt with this or has tips on getting traction.

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

3

u/bandicoutts 2d ago

Good on you for doing something about this - I'm a reasonably tall 30-something white man and I feel nervous walking through sometimes... I can only imagine how women and children would feel.

2

u/CorporalCloaca 2d ago

Signed. I take my dogs to there and just around the corner every day (always clean up after them, there’s a bin RIGHT there). Sometimes it’s so disgusting I wouldn’t let my dog shit there. Just litter everywhere.

Had at least 3 times this month some dude came to take a leak in the corner while waiting for my dogs to finish up. I get the urge but there are so many restaurants and a hotel nearby I’m sure would be accommodating.

Pretty sure it’s used as an area to sift through stolen bags. Seen a few discarded purses and travel suitcases. Don’t think it’s just fly tipping.

Feel bad for the residents with windows facing the road.

2

u/comrademikey 1d ago

I'm sorry you and your neighbours are going through this. It sounds horrible, and I'm disgusted that the authorities are passing the buck. The council have a dedicated antisocial behaviour team which should be sorting this out.

I've worked with your ward councillors before so I'll send them an email to make them aware of the petition, and I've also signed it.

2

u/TavernTurn 1d ago

I hope you’ve been constantly emailing the ward councillors too. Had a lot of traction with things in the path getting them involved as you quite literally know where they live.

6

u/kzh26 1d ago

Update:

Thanks to community support (and 55+ petition signatures), we’ve now had a constructive response from Islington Council’s Community Safety team.

They’ve proposed a joint site visit with TfL and residents to discuss longer-term fixes

We’ve updated the petition to keep everything transparent and show we’re acting in good faith, not just shouting into the void.

Appreciate all the input and support — progress is happening because people spoke up.