Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats Campaign for Road Safety

10.27.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 11th Sep 2006

Liberal Democrat Councillors and local people have collected over 1,000 signatures supporting a petition to Tower Hamlets Council to make the junction between Brick Lane, Bethnal Green Road and Redchurch Street safer for pedestrians.

Cllr Louise Alexander and Cllr Stephanie Eaton with Bobby Atwin gathering signatures.

The area is popular with locals and tourists and is particularly busy on Sundays when Columbia Road flower market is open. At present there is no Pelican crossing and it is difficult and dangerous for pedestrians to cross this busy junction.

Cllr Abdul Matin collects signatures in Brick Lane (Cllr Louise Alexander in the background).

"When I heard of yet another serious accident in August on top of the three deaths at this crossing in the last two years, I didn't feel I could just stand by and do nothing," said Weavers Ward Councillor Louise Alexander. "Although I set up a meeting in February with residents and officers, nothing has been done to date. This petition should send a message to the Council that this dangerous situation cannot be allowed to go on any longer."

Cllr Azizur Rahman Khan and Cllr Louise Alexander collect signatures in the sunshine.

The petition was presented to Full Council on 13th September. The lead member responsible for road safety, Abdal Ullah noted that Transport for London had identified the junction as needing attention but he seemed prepared to leave it until late 2007 for attention. Liberal Democrats argued that the pedestrian crossing at this junction needs to be improved immediately before there are any more deaths or injuries.

For more information on the Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrat road safety petition, contact Cllr Louise Alexander at Louise.Alexander@towerhamlets.gov.uk or read her blog at http://readmydayuk.21publish.com/louisealexander