Caroline Pidgeon AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, has received specific assurances from Transport for London, that they will start to make improvements to the zebra crossing on Brownhill Road, which saw a fatal collision last summer.
Transport for London have also pledged to review a separate junction (the junction of Brownhill Road and Torridon Road) where despite there being traffic lights for vehicles there are no pedestrian crossings to help people cross the busy South Circular.
Following the death of a 13-year old schoolgirl on Brownhill Road last July, Caroline Pidgeon has been urging Transport for London (which has responsibility for Brownhill Road and the South Circular) to improve pedestrian safety on the road.
Caroline Pidgeon’s latest intervention with TfL comes following a recent site visit she made to the road, where the dangers for pedestrians were clearly highlighted to her by local road safety campaigner Natasha Clarkson. Following the visit Caroline Pidgeon highlighted to TfL a number of areas where pedestrian safety could be improved. She also highlighted the poor visibility of the zebra crossing posts by submitting photographs to TfL.
Responding to Transport for London’s response to her suggestions, Caroline Pidgeon said:
“We have a long way to go in making this stretch of the South Circular far safer for pedestrians, but this is a good start.
“I am especially encouraged that Transport for London have agreed to make improvements straight away to the zebra crossing, especially in terms of its visibility for vehicles.
“Their commitment to review the junction at Brownhill Road and Torridon Road is also encouraging, although let’s hope it can be completed in far less than a year.
“The death of the schoolgirl last Summer has acted as a real spur to local residents to ensure that much needed improvements are made for pedestrians in crossing the South Circular. I can only congratulate the determination and campaigning work of Catford residents to ensure that road safety has a far higher priority.
“I have long supported campaigns for safer road crossings in Lewisham, including at the ‘Tiger’s Head’ junction at Bromley Road and also at the junction of Courthill Road and Lewisham High Street.
“However these improvements have taken years to be delivered. Let’s hope that real improvements to the South Circular take place within months, not years.”