Transport for London (TfL) is set to invest between £2 and £5 million in an effort to improve pedestrian safety in both Tooting and Peckham.
The aim is to help redesign junctions, streets and pavements to make them safer for pedestrians and raise awareness of safety issues among all road users.
The investment is part of TfL’s continuing programme to make the capital’s roads safer and more pleasant for pedestrians, and comes as analysis shows that around 20% of all the collisions where pedestrians were killed or seriously injured in London between 2011 and 2013 occurred in town centres.
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Isabel Dedring said: “Town centres are the heart of London’s communities, which is why they should be inviting and safe places for pedestrians to get around. These pilots will see targeted investment that is aimed squarely at improving conditions and safety for pedestrians in Tooting and Peckham. We look forward to learning from them to see how we can bring similar benefits to other town centres across London.”
The centrepieces of these new pilots will be major pedestrian improvements centred on the Tooting Broadway junction and a number of locations in Peckham town centre – making the areas more accessible, more pleasant and safer for all. All local schools in the areas will also be encouraged to give their pupils pedestrian education and training.
TfL and the boroughs plan to begin consulting with local residents and key stakeholders on designs and strategies for these areas later this year.
The project will begin in the autumn, with an action plan developed by the end of the year. After consultation and feasibility studies, it will then be delivered by the end of the financial year 2017/18.
The results, successes and any other lessons learned during the trials will be provided to all boroughs across London to help improve safety across the capital.
Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport at TfL, added: “London’s town centres are vital parts of our communities and the Capital’s economy, but are also where a large number of pedestrian injuries occur. Redesigning junctions in these two areas will help to improve safety for thousands of Londoners, and will make these town centres more inviting spaces for all.”
