Safety boost for A4 (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

TfL to start work on safety improvements for A4

10:50am Saturday 14th March 2009 in News By Joanna Kilvington

A busy road where a cyclist was killed will be improved – thanks to a petition signed by more than 300 people to Transport for London.

Work is expected to begin on new safety measures on the A4 in Brentford at the end of this month, after a three-month fight by campaigners.

A spokeswoman from TfL said: “Work is due to begin later this month on improvements to the cycle footway along the A4 between Boston Manor Road and Chiswick Roundabout which will improve access for pedestrians and cyclists between these two junctions.

“Recent improvements to street lighting, specifically at the Windmill Road junction, will also help to make it safer and easier for vulnerable road users in the area.”

The spokeswoman revealed that a pattern of accidents after-dark on the road had been identified by TfL resulting in the decision to improve street lighting.

A petition was launched in January by Brentford ward councillor Matt Harmer following ongoing fears from pedestrians about the road’s crossing points.

“I don’t want to celebrate too much because there is still a long way to go, but I’m pleased that TfL have recognised the problems with traffic at this junction."

Councillor Matt Harmer

The safety of vulnerable road users was highlighted after keen cyclist Michael Fletcher, from Brentford, was killed in October last year after a collision with a car near the Great West Trading Estate.

Coun Matt Harmer said this week he had been informed further improvements to Windmill Road junction would be included in TfL plans for the next financial year.

He said: “I don’t want to celebrate too much because there is still a long way to go, but I’m pleased that TfL have recognised the problems with traffic at this junction.

“I arranged a site visit for TfL engineers who were rather taken aback at how traffic behaves.”

He is currently in talks with Hounslow Council about increasing parking spaces down Windmill Road to slow traffic down.

Lead member for the environment, Councillor Barbara Reid, said: “Under the jurisdiction of TfL, the London borough of Hounslow has discussed the concerns for pedestrian safety at the Windmill Road junction raised by members and the public.

“TfL is currently looking at a number of junctions along the A4 to explore the scope for carrying out improvements.”

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