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‘We need action fast at 3-second crossing junction’
Pedestrians forced to run for their lives
A PEDESTRIAN crossing in Bloomsbury has been branded a danger hotspot by residents and businesses who argue there are only three seconds to cross the road when the lights turn red.
The Town Hall has been asked to make urgent improvements to the junction at Marchmont Street and Tavistock Place, where a pensioner was run over and killed in December and two other people have been hurt in recent months.
The calls for action were heard at a packed meeting at the Marchmont Community Centre on Thursday night, which saw more than 30 concerned residents, business leaders and politicians gather to voice their fears.
Camden Council has recorded six accidents at the spot over the past three years, which is in line with the London average.
But a spokesman said: “Officers are anxious to reconfigure this junction in the light of the series of accidents that have occurred.”
Bruce Cumine, of Balfour restaurant opposite the junction, said he saw “two or three little moments” every day that caused his heart to skip a beat.
“You shouldn’t be allowed to stand on the island in the middle – it’s only a matter of time before someone is dragged under,” he added.
While the green man for pedestrians changes to red in less than five seconds, cyclists complained they have to wait up to four or five minutes for a green signal, leading many to jump the lights.
Ward councillor Jonathan Simpson said: “My experience is that lots of cyclists find the junction very confusing. It takes between four to five minutes for the green light to go red.
“I’ve seen cyclists just risk it.”
Resident Richenda Walford suggested making all traffic give way to pedestrians and getting rid of the lights altogether.
The Town Hall spokesman said the council “understood the strong feeling of local residents and traders”, but added: “Our examination of the junction has not shown a clear pattern of accidents, something that is required to access Transport for London safety funding.” |
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YOUR COMMENTS:
At the meeting referred to, Camden Council`s invited representatives did not have the courtesy to attend, TFL was represented, and it was confirmed that the juntion in question was quite unique in the volume of traffic, cyclists and pedestrians navigating it. The fuse to this bomb has been lit by Camdens clearly incompetent traffic team by the installatiom of a juntion that may have been fantastic in theory but in practice carries the blood stains of those slain as a result, only a week ago I was awoken during the night by the cries another victim, which resulted in the above meeting. Camden may wait for a clear pattern of accidents to tidy up this mess, but the discust of the residents with the handling of public money in this regard is well documented and stands testament to incompetence, and probably negligence in the interim!
Robert Crawford
One person has already been killed at this crossroads in the past 12 months and almost a dozen others badly injured in road accidents.
How many people have to die before Camden Town Hall take the concerns of the people who live in the vicinity and the literally thousands of people who try to navigate it daily? Two? Ten? Camden Council already has blood on its hands, as officials were warned a year ago at a similar meeting that a fatality was imminent. They failed to take action then just as they have failed to take action now. And government bodies wonder why their reputations are at an all time low. I look forward to Camden Council's excuse when the next person is killed at this extremely badly planned, confusing and downright lethal crossing. And there WILL be another fatality unless Camden's officials change their shameful stance and take action where it is so badly needed.
Kenneth Clements |
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