News from Westminster Labour

Labour councillors support call for extra time to cross the Marylebone Road

Labour Councillors are supporting Olivia Williams, a Balcombe Street resident and mother of two, who is campaigning to improve the light sequence of the pedestrian crossing of Marylebone Road at Enford Street. As it stands, it is not possible to cross from north to south without waiting on the centre island for up to 2 minutes. But the sequence is set so that many people, particularly children, attempt to make it to the south side, running at full speed during the red signal to make it to St Mary’s School in Enford Street on time.

A very small extension in the green signal on the north side would remedy this and end the risks run by those who stand on the crowded island being pushed towards speeding traffic in a cloud of pollution, or those who choose to run across on the red light. The only effect on traffic will be to delay by a few seconds drivers turning east onto the Marylebone Road at Harewood Avenue.

Olivia has started an on-line petition which already has over 150 signatures – see “Marylebone Road Pedestrian Crossing”:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/marylebonecrossing?e

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“A simple extension to the time available to cross the busy Marylebone Road would make all the difference and give parents and their children longer to cross in safety. We have asked the Director of Transport to liaise with his colleagues at Transport for London to investigate whether this can be done.”

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