One in five pedestrian crossings in London ‘unsafe’
15 May 2009
ONE in five pedestrian crossings in London does not give pedestrians enough time to cross, research has shown.
Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show 472 crossings in the capital endanger pedestrians because some can be safe to cross for as little as five seconds. A typical traffic light crossing should give 12 seconds between the green man going off and the green light for cars coming on, according to Government guidelines.
London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon, who had pressed Transport for London for the figures, said: “London, out of all the UK regions, has the highest number of pedestrian road deaths and serious injuries. TfL and the Mayor have got to do something about this.”
But a TfL spokeswoman insisted the capital had an “excellent record on road safety”.
The spokeswoman said that from the mid-90s to 2007, there had been a 40 per cent drop in the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads.
She added: “Ninety per cent of crossings already meet the very latest guidelines and we are working hard to upgrade the remaining sites. These crossings have always provided a safe crossing time.”
TfL said it would upgrade crossings over the next three years. By April 2010, 138 pedestrian crossings would be improved, with work to start on 100 more the following year and on the remaining 166 sites in 2012.
Should pedestrians get more time at crossings? Have your say below.
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