Today, I had a 45 minute, one-to-one meeting with Andy Byford, Commissioner for Transport For London.

He met me at Battersea Bridge where we discussed in detail the multiple issues that pedestrians and drivers face whilst negotiating the crossroads on the northern junction with Cheyne Walk. It was a highly productive meeting in which Mr Byford assured me that he is determined to help find a solution to the concerns that so many people have expressed in the comments section of this petition.

I was greatly impressed that he was willing to engage with  me directly and listen to the central arguments of this campaign. I was also grateful for his time. I had said in an earlier email exchange with him that day that I did not want this campaign to be kicked into the long grass of scheduled meetings. He responded by literally getting on his Brompton bike and cycling to Chelsea to meet me. 

Mr Byford said that he will make the safety problem at Battersea Bridge a priority at TFL. He has since emailed me to this effect, with various senior officers copied in, so I feel confident that the matter is genuinely  in hand.

However, the campaign continues, so please keep sharing the petition and ask people to sign. I do feel that I/we have taken a big step forward today towards getting tangible change to an issue that has dogged this area for the best part of 20 years. Onwards! (RM, 21/01)