You recently reported a complaint by Anne Newton whose son goes to Riversdale Primary School in Merton Road that school children could not cross the road safely near the school because the new traffic lights were not yet working and the pedestrian crossing was closed pending junction improvements.

I am glad to be able to tell Mrs Newton, through you, that the traffic lights are now working and that the two pedestrian crossings are now up and running.

I might add that even before the works were completed, it was possible to cross Merton Road in much greater safety than before, thanks to not one but two lollipop staff. They were on duty at 8am last Thursday morning, and actually helped me to cross the road on the way to work.

Where Ken Livingstone's Transport for London let us down, Wandsworth Council comes to the rescue.

CounciLLoR RICHARD VIVIAN

Wandsworth Council

December 28, 2001 12:32