Demands for rethink over danger junction

Friday, 03 August 2012

By James Cracknell

CAMPAIGNERS have blasted plans for a new road layout at a busy junction and are calling for an urgent rethink.

Transport for London (TfL) has published a revised road design at Courthill Road in Lewisham to include re-routing traffic and signalled pedestrian crossings across Courthill Road and Lewisham High Street.

It follows a three-year campaign by residents and cyclists, backed by councillors and MPs, who said the current layout was too dangerous.

They have been monitoring the junction of Lewisham High Street and Courthill Road and say there have been 21 accidents there since 2007.

TfL hopes the plans will reduce accident numbers and minimise queues on the road network.

However, Roger Stocker, chairman of Lewisham Cyclists said it could prove to be dangerous for cyclists.

He said: “While we welcome TfL’s plans, they do seem very complicated. The proposals have very little that would add to the safety of any cyclists on these two junctions and create a busy route through the centre of a housing estate when we should be keeping motor traffic to the main roads.

“Instead of balancing the needs of all road users TfL have yet again paid lip service to the needs of non-motorised road users.

“We will still have an oppressive road layout of five lanes and a centre barrier, right outside the leisure centre.”

Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem London Assembly member and chairwoman of its transport committee, said: “I hope TfL goes back to the drawing board on this.

“All we wanted was a proper push-button pedestrian crossing but this is too complicated and is a missed opportunity.”

Dana Skelley, director of roads at TfL said: “The scheme will provide a safer environment for pedestrians and, by introducing a new separate green light phase for traffic turning right from Courthill Road into Lewisham High Street, will also reduce traffic congestion at the junction.

“Early indications are the key element of the proposed improvements, the new pedestrian crossing, has been favourably received.”

She said responses to the scheme were still being looked at and any potential modifications would be considered. TfL hopes the new layout will be in place by the end of 2013.

Email: james.cracknell@slp.co.uk

All content © of South London Press unless stated otherwise.

Be the first to comment using the form below.