Two people have been knocked over in recent years at the junction of Chase Side, Avenue Road and Osidge Lane

Stephen Wilson at the junction, holding his petition to the council

Southgate residents are calling on Enfield Council to help install signalised crossings at a junction he says is “dangerous” for pedestrians.

Stephen Wilson has spent the best part of a decade campaigning for crossings at the junction of Chase Side, Avenue Road and Osidge Lane, where he says two people have been knocked over in recent years, including a woman whose leg was broken.

Despite writing regularly to local MPs and the council, however, Stephen says no progress has been made. He has now launched a petition, which has gained nearly 100 signatures in two weeks.

Stephen, a resident of nearby Exeter Road, told the Dispatch: “I have been living here for 22 years and I cross the junction every day and I can see it is dangerous because there is not enough time to get across.

“As one light goes red, the other goes green, so it is a constant battle with traffic. I have known two people being knocked over and I have seen schoolchildren and mothers with prams scrambling to get across. I think it is ridiculous.

“Nine years ago I wrote to the council to ask about doing something about it, but they said there is not enough accidents there. I told them we don’t want to wait for there to be an accident. I have written to MPs and other neighbours have complained about it.”

A council spokesperson has explained that all traffic signals in the capital are owned and managed by Transport for London (TfL), which would first need to assess the feasibility of any new crossing.

But Stephen wants action taken now before it is too late. “To me it is silly and nonsensical,” he said. “At least twice a year I witness accidents there, car crashes, because there are no filter lights and they tend to drive into each other. Every few months it happens.

“Schoolchildren and mums with prams shouldn’t have to run across – there are no stats on the near misses. We shouldn’t have to wait for someone to be killed.

“The junction is very busy and most other ones like it have a crossing.”

A council spokesperson said: “Enfield Council is committed to making it safer and easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle across the borough.

“We have already significantly invested in road safety and will continue long-term investment in the borough, whether its internal funds or government grants, to achieve safer streets.

“We recognise the concerns raised by residents regarding the junction of Chase Side, Avenue Road and Osidge Lane, and we welcome community engagement on issues that affect local streets and neighbourhoods.

“Traffic signal infrastructure across London, including signalled crossings, is owned and managed by Transport for London. This means any changes or new installations to these would require careful exploration with TfL, including feasibility, design and cost considerations.

“While there are currently no specific plans for a pedestrian crossing at this location, we are delivering a wide range of initiatives across the borough focused on improving pedestrian safety.

“Should a petition be submitted to the council, it will be formally reviewed. We receive a wide range of concerns and enquiries on roads, footpaths and wider infrastructure.

“We can assure residents that road safety is an absolute priority for the council, and we will continue to work to create a safer borough.”

Sign Stephen’s petition for safe crossings at the junction in Southgate:
Visit enfield.moderngov.co.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=304

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