Fury over proposed Clapton scheme for killer junction
An artists impression of the redesign for the junction at Lower Clapton Road/Urswick Road. Credit: Tfl - Credit: Archant
Transport bosses have finally pledged action on a deadly junction in Clapton – but campaigners say the plans are “ridiculous” and could make commuting even more dangerous.
Scene of the crash where an 83-year-old died after being knocked down by a lorry in 2011 - Credit: Archant
Eighty-three-year-old Rose Elizabeth Furlong died in 2011 after being knocked down by a 22-wheel lorry in Lower Clapton Road and Urswick Road.
Campaigners this week ridiculed a new “informal roundabout” proposal put forward by Transport for London to tackle the notorious road, which also saw a pair of buses plough into each other in 2012.
The author of the influential Hackney Cyclist blog believes the plans will not address the long-standing safety issues.
He said: “It’s a ridiculous scheme that is not going to work. It’s a TfL [owned] route and a major road that has a high number of heavy vehicles passing through all the time.
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“It’s only going to be of benefit to motorists by speeding up traffic – which, at the same time, will put pedestrians and cyclists at risk.
“It will become a free-for-all.”
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TfL says the junction is “not working well” for cyclists after finding 60 per cent of cyclists go through red lights there.
Its report says the new design will create a “slower, more pleasant environment” for both cyclists and pedestrians.
The 36-year-old does not agree with the assertions being made by transport chiefs.
He said: “It’s a really busy junction and always packed with traffic, and I can say from riding the route it’s not a nice place to be stuck.
“It might start [by being] a bit safer but once people get used to it that will change.
“It’s relying on people to stop and give way to others when they legally won’t have to.”
TfL has singled out the junction as a hotspot for accidents – especially those involving pedestrians.
In addition, they acknowledge how busy the road can get, which causes huge disruption for road users.
A neighbour in nearby St John’s Church Road, who asked not to be named, told the Gazette he was “scared” by the plans.
“It will just take one driver to take a risk and knock someone down,” he said. “A new roundabout system scares me.
“The junction is a no-go zone come rush hour. Traffic has been a problem for a while and accidents tend to happen.”
Visit consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/lower-clapton-road
