Islington's roads are safer than ever, new figures show

3.49.59pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Jun 2009

Councillor Greg Foxsmith

Islington roads are safer than ever before, new figures from the council have revealed. Last year, fewer people than ever were killed or seriously injured on the borough's streets and roads. Islington's Liberal Democrats have celebrated the success of the borough's road safety schemes, and welcomed the next stage - a borough-wide 20mph speed limit in residential streets.

In 2008, 71 people were seriously injured and 4 killed on roads in Islington. This was down from 112 in 2007, and a steady fall from 219 in 2000. Liberal Democrats are continuing to press Transport for London to take action at remaining blackspots like the junction of Holloway Road and Madras Place.

Islington's Liberal Democrat transport chief, Councillor Greg Foxsmith said:

"The Liberal Democrats are committed to making Islington's roads safer. We've introduced traffic calming where residents have asked for it, closed rat runs, and implemented 20mph zones - which are about to be rolled out borough-wide in residential streets - where backed by residents after consultation.

"We have shown leadership and supported the vast majority of residents who want to live in safe streets. For example, 75% of residents in the Highbury Fields 20mph voted in favour of traffic calming measures. They were sick of cars speeding through their streets.

"More than 100 people that would otherwise have been killed or seriously injured every year have been saved because of Islington's safer roads and streets. We're proud of that achievement.

"But there is more to do to keep our roads safe, especially for children, cyclists and motorcyclists. In particular, there are concerns over TFL danger roads, and we will continue to lobby Boris until action is taken on those roads too."