Calls for safer crossing in Old Kent Road ‘not justified’ - Boris

Cllr Lucas Green raised the issue at a recent transport-themed meeting of Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Community Council and the matter was taken up by London Assembly member Val Shawcross who tabled a question to the Mayor.

"Local councillors are concerned about pedestrian safety at this junction and would like to see better pedestrian crossing facilities there," said Ms Shawcross in her question.

"Please advise what progress Transport for London have made on this."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson replied: "TfL has confirmed that this junction currently provides dedicated signal-controlled crossing facilities for pedestrians crossing Old Kent Road. An un-signalised pedestrian crossing point with dropped kerbs exists on the East Street arm of the junction.

"TfL's programme of regional improvements, which would fund improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities, is prioritised at locations which have the greatest safety issues to be addressed.

"The most recent collision data available for this location shows 11 incidents in the three year period up to September 2014, all resulting in a slight injury. One of these incidents related to a pedestrian crossing East Street.

"Taking the collision data into account, this location is not a sufficiently high priority to justify immediate investment relative to other areas. If the situation changes here TfL would be happy to reconsider this."

Cllr Lucas Green told us: "I believe that there are many many more incidents than this at this junction which go unreported."