Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly, writes in a letter to the Evening Standard:
Anyone reading your story on the trial of countdown indicators at pedestrian crossings might think that crossings routinely allow more time than necessary for pedestrians to cross. The reality is often very different ...
With the launch of a trial of Countdown facilities at 8 junctions, Caroline has again stressed the need to ensure that all pedestrian crossings meet national safety standards and provide adequate time for pedestrians to safely cross the road. Last year an investigation by Caroline revealed that across London there were almost 500 pedestrian crossings which are failing to meet minimum safety standards. A year later it is believed that there are still more than 300 pedestrian crossings which fail to provide adequate time for pedestrians to safely cross the road.
For more information about Countdown facilities, see the London Reconnections website.
And for more information about Caroline's campaign to ensure every pedestrian crossing in London is safe to cross, read London blogger Dave Hill's article in the Guardian from December.