Plans to cut crossing times condemned: "Give us a break, Boris", says Bridget

11.25.00am GMT Fri 13th Mar 2009

Preparing to sprint across the road: give us a break, Boris!

Liberal Democrat campaigner Bridget Fox has condemned plans by London Mayor Boris Johnson to reduce the time pedestrians have to cross the road.

His controversial ideas include giving pedestrians a countdown to hurry across the road - or risk oncoming traffic.

Ms Fox, who campaigned successfully to get Transport for London to agree to improve the busy Angel crossing, says more needs to be done to help local people get about on foot.

"We've won the argument to move the Angel crossing, to make it safer and easier to cross. That's what local people want. Giving us less time to cross the road is a big mistake.

"There are already pedestrian crossings in Islington where you have barely 5 seconds to get across the road.

"It's obviously a while since Boris got off his bike and walked about. What happens when the countdown gets to zero and you are still wheeling your shopping trolley or pushchair across?

"I know the Olympics are coming, but this is ridiculous."