Motorist challenges TfL director to drive through 'dangerous' Stirling Corner (From Borehamwood Times)

Motorist challenges TfL director to drive through 'dangerous' Stirling Corner

12:46pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Anna Slater

An angry motorist who has joined the fight for 24-hour traffic signals at Stirling Corner is challenging a Transport for London (TfL) director.

Tony DeSwarte, of Nash Close, Elstree, wants the director of traffic operations at TfL, Alan Bristow, to drive through the roundabout to see how “lethal and dangerous” it is.

The 66-year-old is supporting a campaign, spearheaded by GLA member for Barnet Andrew Dismore, to install round-the-clock signals in the area.

He said: “I feel angry because it seems Mr Bristow keeps dismissing our plea for traffic signals without even going into any detail as to why.

“From my past experience of dealing with councils, the person who deals with traffic actually has no concept of what it is like on the ground.

“Seeing it on a computer is actually an unrealistic portrayal of what it is really like.”

The roundabout, owned by TfL, has part-time signals from 3.30pm to 6.30pm during weekdays.

Mr Dismore launched a survey to find out whether people would support safety measures at the roundabout, which has been supported by hundreds of campaigners.

Mr Bristow has previously said there is “no need” to install round the clock signals because there have been no pedestrian or cyclist collisions there in the last three years.

But the area has seen various car crashes over the years – including one fatality and another which left a woman with injuries so severe they still plague her ten years on.

Granddad-of-five Mr DeSwarte added: “It is one of the most dangerous and lethal roundabouts I have encountered.

“I want Mr Bristow to drive through the whole roundabout so he can see exactly how scary it is. You take your life into your own hands when you are there. “Something must change.”

Mr Dismore, who is also supporting the challenge, added: “I think it is a great idea – Mr Bristow should definitely have a go to see how difficult and dangerous this is.”

The Borehamwood and Elstree Times is awaiting comment from Transport for London.

To download a survey form, click here.