Greenwich Council has said improving a dangerous road junction is a “key priority” after a cyclist’s death sparked a safety campaign.
The council has said that improvements to the Angerstein Roundabout will have to come from TfL following a petition backed by more than 1,800 people.
The roundabout has become notorious for injuries, with a third of 60 collisions in Woolwich Road in the last three years taking place approaching the gyratory.
A petition was launched in May last year following the death of Edgaras Cepura, who was killed after being hit by a lorry.
The petition calls for the road to be included in Sadiq Khan’s Safer Junctions scheme, reading: “The roads of this junction need to be made safer for use for both cyclists and pedestrians.
“The poor design of this junction puts both cyclists and pedestrians’ lives at risk every day.”
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The council has now said it “lobbied hard” at TfL for funding to deliver the improvements.
The council applied to TfL for cash for safety schemes in October through the new Local Implementation Plan – but has admitted the cost of such a big scheme would not be covered by that.
“Realistically gyratory improvement may only be found within a TfL business plan heading of large critical mass because it does not attract priority funding as a stand-alone project,” a new report reveals.
The road was cut from safety upgrades under the Better Junctions programme by Sadiq Khan.
TfL plans to wipe out crashes by 2041 – but has faced pressure from cyclists and the council to make the junction safer quickly.
The council said it is working on a plan with TfL to fund major changes to the roundabout.
The petition response explains: “The council will develop as swiftly as possible an agreed funding plan within the TfL programme for major schemes a proposal to remodel Angerstein Gyratorty as a key priority.
“The council will deliver some short-term safety-focussed improvements to the westbound approach to the roundabout as part of a local safety scheme on Woolwich Road being developed for implementation late this financial year.”
The council said it is also using money, handed over by Ikea, to improve lighting underneath the flyover.
Improvements to the roundabout could come from a new Cycle Future Route, which is currently being designed, with a public consultation on a route from Greennwich to Angerstein expected this year.
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