Lib Dem investigation highlights Islington's worst crossings

1.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Jun 2009

Liberal Democrat councillors Tracy Ismail, Ursula Woolley, and Arthur Graves are demanding that TfL act to make Islington's pedestrian crossing safer.

Figures obtained from Transport for London by the Liberal Democrats have revealed that major pedestrian crossings maintained by TfL are failing pedestrians - and could be dangerous.

272 junctions across London were found to fail national standards for pedestrian safety, including:

• the junction of Holloway Road and Tufnell Park Road

• the junction of Holloway Road and Hornsey Street

• the junction of Pentonville Road and Penton Rise

• The junction of City Road and Central Street

These junctions fail to meet standards set by the Department for Transport for giving pedestrians enough time to cross the road. They do not leave enough time between the green man light disappearing and the amber light appearing for motorists.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson on the London Assembly, said:

"London has the highest number of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in the UK, so it is simply appalling that Londoners have to put up with hundreds of pedestrian crossings which are inadequate.

"The national guidance was issued in 2005, so it is not new. TfL have no excuses. Pedestrians should be able to cross junctions without having to worry about their safety. It is a matter of real urgency that the Mayor and TfL get their act together."

Liberal Democrat councillor and Tufnell Park Road resident Tracy Ismail commented:

"Everyone who lives round here knows that this crossing isn't fit for purpose and can be a real nightmare for pedestrians. You only get seconds to cross the road before you get impatient drivers honking at you - or worse. This crossing is right outside Grafton School, so there are lots of children trying to cross here in the morning and the evening. We need Boris and TfL to make sure that Holloway Road is safe for them."