Brent Council have said that they will only undertake any traffic signal removals in the borough suggested by Transport for London if "it can be undertaken in a safe, practical and cost effective manner without undue negative impact on more vulnerable road users or more sustainable modes of transport." The Transportation Unit were responding to my enquiry following the publication of a list of traffic signals that Boris Johnson wanted to see considered for removal. DETAILS HERE
The council said:
Brent have only recently been informed by TfL of its proposals to look at reducing delays caused by inefficient or unnecessary traffic signals, at which time we were made aware of a list of potential traffic signal removal site including the Neasden Lane/Quainton St/Braemar Avenue junction. We will shortly be holding our first meeting with TfL to discuss the details of the project after which we will hopefully be in a better position to understand how it will be taken forward.
I am therefore currently unable to provide you any specific information regarding the Neasden Lane/Quainton St/Braemar Avenue junction. I can however say that Brent shares TfL’s desire to reduce congestion on our network, butonly where it can be undertaken in a safe, practical and cost effective manner without undue negative impact on more vulnerable road users or more sustainable modes of transport.
We will need to be vigilant to ensure that the council's criteria for removal are rigorously applied.
Away from the publicity about his bicycle scheme, Boris Johnson has been pursuing his agenda of prioritising the motor car. Not content with reversing attempts to restrict pollution by heavy trucks and cars, he has now published a lost of 145 crossings that he feels should be considered for removal. Some of these are owned by local councils and some by Transport for London. In addition he is seeking to introduce a quicker crossing period at some sites and a countdown feature that would indicate seconds left to cross - presumably to make the pedestrians run for the last few feet. The message is clear: pedestrians are to be put firmly in their place and only allowed to delay motorists for a minimum amount of time. Living Streets has a petition against the introduction of countdown crossings in London.
Of course this will impact, as the image illustrates, on the very young, the elderly and those with disabilities. Think of the parent pushing a buggy, perhaps accompanied by a couple of under 5s trying to cross the road as the countdown increases in urgency. As a former teacher, I know the difficulties and dangers of crossing London roads with a crocodile of children - especially when the group is split by rapid light changes.
If you add to this the decision by some local councils, with the loss of government subsidy, to do away with speed cameras, we are facing the prospect, after years of decline of an increase in the number of pedestrians killed and injured on the road.
Earlier this week Brent Green Party demonstrated at the Quainton Street. Braemar Avenue crossing on Neasden Lane pointing out the dangers. MORE HERE Pupils from two schools, Wykeham and St Margaret Clitherow, use these crossings which are close to bus stops.
Transport for London is consulting with local councils about the removal of crossing. I hope Brent Council, whose crossings have often been funded by Transport for London itself as a safety measure, will resist any removals.
The Brent crossings on the list for possible removal are:
Willesden Lane - The Avenue - Cavendish Road
Brondesbury Park / Sidmouth Road
Brondesbury Park / The Avenue
Fleet water Business Centre (formerly Brentwater Estate)
Northbound
Brondesbury Park by Christchurch Avenue
Coles Green Road / Crest Road / Oxgate Lane
