'Do not wait until more blood is spilled on the road' (From Borehamwood Times)

Campaigners discuss Stirling Corner, Borehamwood, with TfL at Transport Forum

10:00pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

Tireless campaigners urged Transport for London (TfL) to adopt new safety measures at Stirling Corner “before more blood is spilled on the road.”

Residents, councillors and TfL representatives spent around an hour debating proposals for round the clock traffic lights at the roundabout during a Transport Forum meeting tonight.

The forum told TfL’s Nigel Hardy, head of project initiation, that cars zooming out from all different directions mean the area is unsafe for “even the most experienced drivers.”

Sue Alford, of Hunter Close, went door-to-door last week to find out whether other residents believe the area is dangerous.

She said: “I spoke to a woman who takes six children to school in the morning and every time she passes through Stirling Corner, she literally shakes. It is unacceptable.

“Do not wait until more blood is spilled on the road - the blood will end up on TfL’s head.”

In 2003, TfL and neighbouring Barnet Council drafted plans to add extra safety measures in the area but these were spiked a short while later.

GLA member for Barnet, Andrew Dismore, asked TfL to “dust off the old plans to put things right in the area.”

Mr Dismore, who launched a safety survey into the area last month, added: “Right now, we have a ludicrous situation where people are so scared of crossing the roundabout that they take the bus to get through. That is not right.”

Campaigner Tony DeSwarte added: “It is illogical that other roundabouts such as Fiveways, South Mimms and Apex Corner are all manned by traffic signals.

“What are the reasons for us not being able to have them at Stirling Corner - even from 7am to 7pm?”

Mr Hardy assured the forum that the transport firm was doing everything in its power to try and make the area safer.

He said: “We are not disinterested in Stirling Corner - we have looked at collision history going back three years.

“The most common cause of accidents are due to skidding, weaving, lane changing and a small number are due to speeding.

“Earlier this year, we resurfaced the roads, painted better markings and installed new signs to make the roundabout safer.

“Traffic lights are not the cure for everything. We are not adversed if that is the right answer, but we are looking at other measures too.”

But Councillor Alan Plancey advised Mr Hardy that the accident statistics have little meaning - because “petrified” drivers tend to avoid Stirling Corner all together.

Mr Hardy promised to review the situation and said a representative from TfL would try to attend the next Transport Forum in March.