Notorious Elephant and Castle roundabout removed

Work at the busy traffic junction began in July

Work to remove one of London's most notorious roundabouts has almost finished.

From Monday traffic lights will replace the six-lane roundabout at Elephant and Castle as part of a project to improve the capital's public spaces.

Cycle lanes will be installed, subways filled in and trees planted around what was the southern roundabout.

The work, which is part of the mayor's Great Outdoors initiative, should be finished by the spring.

Work to transform the junction began in July and it is hoped the traffic lights will help smooth traffic flow through the area.

Kulveer Ranger, the mayor of London's transport advisor, said: "The conversion of this mammoth roundabout into a junction will be a major step forward in the regeneration of this long neglected area."

Southwark councillor Fiona Colleyat said: "I'm delighted to be a step closer to getting rid of the unpopular and intimidating subways.

"Every new development brings us further towards the vision for Elephant and Castle, and the improvements to the traffic layout is something that local people are keen to see happening as soon as possible."