We, the residents and users of St Margarets and North Twickenham, urgently call on the Mayor of London to address the unacceptable dangers posed to pedestrians, specifically school children, at the St Margarets roundabout on the A316. We also request safer cycling provision between Twickenham Bridge and Whitton roundabout.

Context

• Residents living north of the A316 must cross at the St Margarets roundabout in order to access local schools, shops and transport links (St Margarets station). Pedestrians and cyclists, including many parents/carers taking their children to school face unsafe conditions crossing this roundabout.
• The pavement running alongside the A316 east and west of St Margarets roundabout is a shared route. It is used heavily by both pedestrians and cyclists and requires improved safety measures.

Our specific demands to improve safety, encourage active travel and avoid further accidents are;

1. Adjust traffic light phasing at St Margarets roundabout to allow pedestrians and cyclists enough time to cross safely.
2. Strengthen physical barriers around St Margarets roundabout to protect pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Reduce speed limit to 30mph from St Margarets roundabout to Twickenham Bridge and enhance signage for the new 30mph section between this roundabout and London Road roundabout.
4. Improve safety on shared pedestrian and cycling path north side of A316 between St Margarets roundabout and Twickenham bridge.
5. Separate pedestrian and cycle paths along the north side of A316 between St Margarets roundabout and Whitton Road roundabout.

Detailed considerations:

1. St Margarets roundabout

Pedestrians face long waits (of up to 90 seconds) at all four crossings to the east, west, north and south of St Margarets roundabout. This leads to risk taking with people including young children running across the road, frustrated with wait times. Crossing times are too short to cross all four lanes, requiring another prolonged wait in the middle island. Here pedestrians and cyclists are extremely vulnerable to vehicle accidents. At least three cars have crashed through/into the barriers here in the last 18 months, one accident was near fatal. Exposure to pollution is also increased due to protracted crossing times.

The key crossing is west of the roundabout and adjacent to St Stephen’s school. It is used by 100s of people every day. During rush hour, there can be 60 people split across the pavement and island at any one time waiting to cross. Predominantly these are children with their parents/carers who do not feel safe.

Recommendations

1. Shorten initial wait times.
2. Amend traffic light phasing to allow time to cross all four lanes without interruption for all (including the disabled and elderly).
3. Improve safety of physical barriers around junction to provide protection in the event of a crash.
4. Extend 30mph speed limit to both sides of A316 with speed cameras and traffic light cameras. Consider 20mph near key /school crossing, particularly at school start/finish times.
5. Improve signage to help drivers choose correct lane and ensure they are aware of school eg ‘SLOW! SCHOOL!’.

2. Pavement north of the A316 from St Margarets roundabout to Twickenham Bridge

This pavement is shared with cyclists and pedestrians. The stretch of road between the roundabout and Ailsa Road is dangerously narrow forcing cyclists and pedestrians into close proximity of two lanes of 40mph traffic.  The safety concerns are so great, many people, particularly parents/carers with children are fearful of walking this stretch and avoid it.

Recommendations

1. Consider moving cycle traffic to the other side of the road which is wider and already designated as a shared path, or otherwise segregate the bikes/people/vehicles to improve safety for all.
2. Provide better physical barriers from vehicle traffic (currently bollards).
3. Improve signage to alert cyclists to pedestrians coming round blind corners and vice versa.
4. Consider changes to the road design and surface where roads join the A316 to increase driver awareness of cyclists.
5. Reduce speed limit from 40mph to 30mph

3. Pathway from St Margarets roundabout to Whitton Road roundabout

This is a shared path, heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists, leading to frequent minor accidents and many near misses (cars leaving driveways, pedestrians and cyclists). Cyclists using what they consider to be a fast, cycle route are blocked by pedestrians walking in groups (often parents and school children) and need to cycle on the grass to get by. Pedestrians walking along the route, including young children have to jump to the side to avoid cyclists going fast along this path. Residents living on the road can often not see cyclists at the end of their driveway.

Recommendations

1. Segregate bikes from pedestrians which there is room for, to increase safety and encourage active travel.
2. Implement a thorough cutting routine for vegetation along the side of the route as the issues are compounded by overgrowing vegetation. This reduces space for both cyclists and pedestrians (it was only cut recently after many complaints to the TfL and the council).

Addressing these concerns will significantly improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists (specifically parents who should not feel fear on the school run) whilst encouraging active travel within our community.