SOUTH WOODFORD: Renewed calls for roundabout safety
3:14pm Thursday 12th April 2012 in Where I Live By Joe Curtis
GLA candidate Caroline Pidgeon, Cllr Richard Hoskins, Cllr Ian Bond, Cllr Gwyneth Deakins, Brian Mazeon, Irean Mustafa, Chris Maines and Tony Loffhagen are angry at lack of funding form TfL for a dangerous crossing
PEOPLE "take their lives in their hands" crossing a busy roundabout because of a lack of safety measures, campaigners claim.
Neighbours of Charlie Brown's roundabout in South Woodford have for 12 years demanded pedestrian crossings and traffic lights for the busy junction between Chigwell Road and Woodford Avenue. But no action has been taken by Transport for London (TfL).
Now London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon joined with the Maybank Community Association residents' group in calling for a date to be set for work to begin.
The Liberal Democrat said: "People shouldn't have to take their lives in their hands just to get across the road. It's absolutely staggering.
"We need to make sure something is done urgently to make it safe. The crossing needs to be up to minimum safety standards and this is a big issue at this election for me."
The crossing is regularly used by people to get to a nearby Tesco but MCA member Tony Loffhagen said people are forced to time their walk across the road to avoid speeding cars.
A plan to install lights at the junction was proposed by TfL in 2007, but subsequently sidelined two years later due to a lack of funds.
But the transport authority sparked outrage when it then began a multi-million pound project to improve pedestrian safety at Gants Hill roundabout.
Mr Loffhagen, 74, wants the issue to be taken up by mayoral candidates.
He said: "They're spending all this money on Gants Hill while what concerns me is that somebody could be killed at this crossing and nothing's being done.
"It's very dangerous for elderly people who cannot walk as fast as others, yet it is well-used because of the Tesco store. TfL must act."
Though there is a subway that people can use instead Mr Loffhagen said there have been muggings and many do not feel safe using it.
The Guardian is awaiting comment from TfL.
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Tom Thumb says...
4:17pm Thu 12 Apr 12
However, voters have a choice in May. Jenny Jones (Green) and Ken Livingstone are both committed to improvements for pedestrians, whereas Boris Johnson is entirely pro-car and anti-walking. Boris has been reducing pedestrian crossing times all over London, to benefit motorists.
Charlie Brown's roundabout is just another symbol of how car sick Britain has become, and how drivers are regarded as the centre of the transport universe.