BackSay no to countdown crossings in London
National charity Living Streets believes that Transport for London’s plans to roll out pedestrian countdown crossings are misconceived and will fail to improve walking conditions for Londoners.
Following trials at eight locations, TfL has branded the crossings a success and now plans to roll out a further 200 across the capital. While trials show information on crossing screens to be popular with some, the findings also show increased waiting times, evidence of pedestrians feeling more rushed in crossing the road and a higher incident of conflicts. In fact while conflicts decreased at one location in Oxford Street, there were significant increases at the other sites, from 152 to 342 conflicts in total.
At a time where the Mayor is carrying out a programme of pedestrian crossing removal with inadequate consultation, Living Streets believe that such a move is an expensive red herring, which could actually hinder pedestrian safety, make pedestrians feel rushed and unwelcome whilst crossing the road, and goes against the Mayor’s wish to see more people walking. The measure is clearly aimed at getting motor traffic moving quickly rather than improving the walkability of London’s streets.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
“When TfL is cutting budgets and introducing eye watering fare increases, the roll-out of countdown crossings is a waste of money. This investment should be spent on improving our current crossings and the general quality of our streets to make walking as accessible as possible. This expensive measure will do very little for those travelling by foot and appears to be aimed squarely at improving the flow of motor traffic- creating crossings which leave people feeling vulnerable and under pressure to cross in a short period of time”.
Living Streets has set out its priorities for making London a world class city for walking in their 2012 London manifesto calls. The lead call is for 20mph on mayoral controlled streets where we live, work and shop – a measure that would not only have an immediate impact in reducing the number and severity of pedestrian casualties, but also makes sound economic sense. Find out more about the City of 20 campaign.
Published on: 23/01/2012
