Victory For Lido Junction Campaigners

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Safer pedestrian crossings but this could mean traffic delays

After years of campaigning by the council and residents, the Lido junction is finally set to benefit from pedestrian crossings.

Transport for London (TfL) has recently given approval for improvements to the pedestrian crossing facilities at the junction of Uxbridge Road with Northfield Avenue and Drayton Green Road in West Ealing. This junction, known locally as the 'Lido' junction, has the highest pedestrian accident rates in the borough.

For the past 18 months Ealing Council has been working with TfL to develop a scheme that makes the junction safer for pedestrians particularly the young, elderly and mobility impaired, whilst avoiding significant delays to traffic. The scheme will see the introduction of green man pedestrian crossings on all arms of the junction as well as other measures to smooth traffic flow through the junction, including improved signage and road markings and changes to waiting and loading restrictions.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for Transport and Environment, said:
“I’m delighted we have finally managed to have this crossing agreed. We have been campaigning for this for some time and it’s great to see a successful result. We are keen to make Ealing as safe as possible and these actions will certainly make a big difference to pedestrians using this junction. I’d like to thank West Ealing neighbours and residents for their patience and support with this project.”

Conservative Opposition Leader Councillor David Millican said the groundwork was laid when the last administration was in control:

"I am pleased that the incoming Labour Council kept the faith with this. Previously I was responsible for such schemes and worked tirelessly with West Ealing Neighbours and others to develop a workable solution.

''This is good news for pedestrians, but the all red-phase will inevitably mean longer queues for cars. So I have already started pressing for this to be mitigated as much as possible."

David Highton, chairman of West Ealing Neighbours, who has been campaigning for improvements to the junction, said:

“This is fantastic news for everyone in West Ealing. Congratulations to Ealing Council and TfL for their hard work to find a way to put in green man pedestrian crossings which will greatly improve pedestrian safety at the Lido Junction.

''Thanks also from West Ealing Neighbours to our members and our partners, the Five Roads Forum and Kingsdown Residents Association for putting so much time and effort into our October 2009 report and recommendations on making the Lido Junction safer for pedestrians.”

In addition to the Lido junction, Ealing Council is also continuing its investigation to find a solution for implementing green man crossing facilities at the Church Road/Uxbridge Road junction in Hanwell. Traffic modelling is being used to examine further options for improvements. The results of the study will be discussed with TfL, councillors and community representatives at a meeting to be held next month.

The council is currently in discussions with TfL over the anticipated start date of the Lido junction project.

21st September 2011