‘It’s not right to remove lights’ - Could lead to a rise in accidents - Liberal Democrats warn Boris Johnson
Published: 27 August 2010
by TOM FOOT
RIPPING up three sets of traffic lights in Islington could lead to a rise in accidents, Liberal Democrats have warned.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has ordered the removal of traffic lights at junctions in Roman Way and Mackenzie Road in Holloway, Liverpool Road and Bewdley Street in Barnsbury, and at St John Street and Owen Street in Finsbury.
Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London’s transport adviser, said: “There are few things more annoying than sitting at a traffic light on red for no apparent reason. We hope we can smooth traffic flow across London and deliver real improvements for all road users.”
But figures obtained by the Islington Liberal Democrats show there have been a total of 26 accidents at the three locations with 28 people injured.
Lib Dem councillor Susan Buchanan said the figure could rise without the lights, adding: “Residents don’t want these traffic lights removed.”
Resident Chris Bulford, who lives near the Liverpool Road junction, added: “This was a major accident blackspot before the green man crossing was installed.”
The lights are being removed as part of wider plan to remove clutter from the capital’s roads.