A "PLANNING error" which divided a village 80 years ago is costing lives today, according to a road expert.

Philip Lane says the junction of Warren Road, Chelsfield and the Orpington by-pass is dangerous and causing accidents Mr Lane, who is backed by the Chelsfield Residents' Association, has written to Bromley Council stating what he thinks is wrong with the route.

Mr Lane, 62, who has spent 30 years photographing roads around the UK for construction firms, has made suggestions on how to make the road safer.

He says the problems stem from the 1920s after the owners of a manor house on the edge of Chelsfield objected to a road going around the village because it was too close to their premises.

The bypass, known as Court Road or the A224, was built through the village recreation and cricket ground instead, forcing residents to cross the busy road to get from the village to the church when it opened in 1928.

Mr Lane said: "This planning error has caused grief ever since and many accidents and some deaths. Most residents are terrified of using this junction.

"I would have liked to see this route cutting under both Church Road and Warren Road with a roundabout for connections to the minor roads at Charterhouse shops.

"Instead the centre island is deceptively narrow as a haven and the heavy traffic leads to dangerous jumping by frustrated waiting traffic.

"We have all had close shaves at some time and I have had some friends who have not made it all. Some sort of re-design is essential and with some urgency."

Cheslfield Village Society secretary Julius Bannister said: "Parking and traffic are key issues for residents and the society welcomes Mr Lane's initiative."

He says it will be included in the society's own report on parking and traffic flows to be distributed to residents in the next few weeks.

And a Bromley Council spokesman says taking action at this junction is difficult because statistics show accidents occur all along Court Road and not specifically at this junction.

He says the cost of any new measures would have to be looked at and new signs with a 40mph speed limit appear to be helping reduce accidents.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
What Mr Lane suggests Bromley Council should do to save lives:

  • Traffic lights.
  • Roundabout.
  • Roundabout at this junction and junction with Church Road. Traffic not allowed to cross at either but made to turn left or right, then in or out of the village.
  • Create islands and a large central reserve.