‘End this speed limit confusion on road where Theresa Lyne died’

Published: 24th June, 2011
by PETER GRUNER

TRAFFIC experts are to examine a borough boundary road – scene of a recent fatal accident – where motorists are suddenly allowed to accelerate from 20mph to 30 mph.

The investigation follows the death two weeks ago of homeless woman Theresa Lyne, 53, killed in an accident with a minibus near the junction with Shaftesbury Road and Hornsey Rise, Archway.

All three councillors for Hillrise ward, the Lib Dems’ Greg Foxsmith and Lorraine Constantinou, and Labour’s Marian Spall agree that there is “confusion” in Hornsey Rise. Motorists driving on the Haringey side must abide by a 20mph speed limit which, within a few yards, changes to 30mph on entering Islington.

Cllr Foxsmith has been campaigning for a year to bring the speed limit on the Islington side into line with Haringey’s 20mph limit.

“Sadly, Hornsey Rise is one of the few roads in Islington not covered by the borough-wide 20mph zone,” he said. 

“The road suffers from speeding cars and it is confusing for drivers because the Haringey end of the road is a 20mph zone.”

Now, Labour-controlled Islington Council is to examine this speed limit “anomaly”, with the possibility of slowing traffic on its side of Hornsey Rise.

Cllr Foxsmith said he was delighted the council was finally taking the issue seriously. 

“Last July, Labour councillors added a road in King’s Cross to the 20mph zone,” he added. “Lib Dem councillors asked that other roads in the borough be included, such as Junction Road, Highbury Park, Highbury Grove and Blackstock Road. But Labour councillors refused to back the move.

“Why should residents around Hornsey Rise and other parts of the borough be treated differently? Why should they have to put up with speeding traffic and stop-start traffic signs as you turn a corner? This flies in the face of common sense. 

“I hope Labour councillors will now start listening to what residents in these areas want.”

Caroline Russell, chairwoman of Islington’s pedestrian pressure group Living Streets, welcomed the council pledge to examine the speed limit in Hornsey Rise.

She added: “The number of fatal road accidents in London and the increase in air pollution is the result of speeding traffic. Mayor of London Boris Johnson seems more concerned with the ability of cars and lorries to get about than the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.

“Every road in Islington should be 20mph, not just side roads.”

Town Hall Labour roads chief Councillor Paul Convery said he had been saddened by the fatal accident, which underlined the need to make the road safe.

“Hornsey Rise is one of those principal roads that got left out in the 20mph scheme,” he added. “We will have to look and see whether or not we should extend the 20mph to cover this important route.”