Residents of Greenwich's Millennium Village are celebrating as work begins to reinstall a pedestrian crossing on a dangerous stretch of road where a woman was killed.

But despite the campaign's recent success, they have confirmed the fight to improve road safety in West Parkside will continue.

The road layout, which sees a two-way bus lane run alongside a two-way road separated by a path, was seen as innovative when it was first installed.

It has since been deemed "ridiculous" after several serious accidents, including the recent death of a female pedestrian aged in her 40s, who was hit by a bus during the morning rush hour on January 4 at the junction of John Harrison Way.

Ben Hutchings, a local resident and governor at Millennium Primary School, said this incident was the final straw.

Speaking before the work began on Friday, he told News Shopper: "We are at the point where we have a resident, one of our neighbours, killed and nothing seems to be done.

"It’s a ridiculous idea that is costing lives now."

Campaigners have now launched a petition to make the Greenwich Peninsula safer.

The 42-year-old dad-of-two said improving road safety is now critical, with up to 15,000 more homes being built and a constant influx of people moving to the peninsula.

Mr Hutchings added: "We want to live in an area which is innovative and pushes boundaries but not at the cost of a single life."

News Shopper:

Greenwich Millennium Village residents fighting to improve road safety.

On Monday, January 18 the campaigners unveiled a banner asking "where is our pedestrian crossing?", with a picture of the original crossing near Oval Square, before it was removed in 2008.

Tiffany Beck, chair of the Greenwich Millennium Village residents' association, said it is "fantastic" to see the work beginning to reinstall a crossing, but added it's "not the end" of their bid to improve safety.

The 34-year-old told News Shopper: "I think it’s fantastic that it's finally happening.

"But it should have happened much quicker and shouldn’t have been taken away in the first place."

Ms Beck stressed the need for lower speed limits and better signage to prevent more tragedies in West Parkside.

She added: "We’re not done but we’re happy that they are taking action."

News Shopper:

The tributes left to the pedestrian killed on West Parkside in January.

A spokeswoman for Greenwich Council said there was a "clear need for a new zebra crossing".

On Thursday, the day before work began, she said: "The council is concerned about the impact of the bus-way arrangement on road safety in an area which is going to see significant change in the near future."

Leader of the council, Denise Hyland, is due to meet senior representatives at TfL to discuss the possibility of improving the road layout.

Tony Akers, head of bus operations at Transport for London, said it is discussing with the police, Greenwich Council and the GLA about how it can improve safety at this junction.  

He said: "We support the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit and improving the road markings and signage whilst we explore longer-term changes. 

"We continue to support the proposed Zebra Crossing across the busway.

"In the longer term we will support efforts to make this location a safer and more attractive walking environment.  

"Significant population growth is anticipated on the Greenwich Peninsula and the area surrounding it.

"Along with the upgrade of the Silvertown Tunnel and the opening of Crossrail at Woolwich, the busway will provide a key public transport and pedestrian link to North Greenwich."