Save pedestrian crossing

“Dear Val

Thank you for the petition presented to the London Assembly plenary meeting on 7 March about the proposed removal of traffic signals at Purley Way, by Waddon Park Avenue.

As you know, it is one of my priorities to smooth the flow of traffic on London’s streets, and Transport for London (TfL) has put in place a number of measures to achieve this. These include making physical changes to junctions, limiting the frequency and duration of roadworks, and looking at how traffic signals can support a smoother flow of traffic. As you are aware, a key premise of this work is that pedestrian safety must not be compromised.

TfL, working with the London boroughs, initially identified 145 sets of traffic signals that, sue to low usage or lack of conformity with current regulations, could potentially be removed or replaced with alternative measures. TfL is responsible for the removal or replacement of signals on the TfL Road Network, while the responsibility for deciding whether or not to remove or to replace signals on borough roads, and any related consultation, lies with the relevant borough. Separately, boroughs may also identify signals on their roads that they believe are suitable for removal or replacement with other measures.

Each site is selected on the basis of criteria such as its level use, traffic flow and the number of accidents at the site. This information forms the initial basis for a four-week public consultation to gather the views of local residents, businesses and key stakeholders. Once the consultation is concluded, TfL reviews the comments received and considers these holistically with all the data collected. During this time, TfL also considers if any suitable alternative measures might be introduced if the signals are removed. An independent safety audit is carried out on any changes proposed to the highway to ensure that they are safe.

The location to which the petition refers was selected as a potential site for removal of traffic signals or replacement with alternative measures because of low pedestrian demand and poor compliance from drivers. TfL carried out a consultation with local residents and other interested parties between 10 January and 9 February 2012 and received extensive feedback and helpful insights. Having considered this feedback, TfL has now decided that the signals should be retained and it does not plan to take any further action at this site.

I enclose a copy of the consultation report which contains the full details. Respondents to the consultation were notified of the outcome by email on 19 March and letters were hand delivered to local residents on 24 March.

Thank you again for writing to me.”