I HOPE no-one believed the letter saying one day a child might be killed by the complacency of the council.

It is with huge frustration I have to admit I cannot guarantee a child will not one day die in Southborough Lane or elsewhere in our borough.

But this tragedy would not be because anyone at the council is complacent.

The fact is road accidents are at historically low levels.

Our road safety team work with children on a daily basis, precisely to avert tragedy.

Their work is recognised right across London as being highly effective.

It is true to say we are introducing parking restrictions, which will protect cyclists using the cycle lane.

Children will no longer have to cross from between parked cars, which will make it safer for them to cross as motorists will be able to see them.

We do prioritise the worst accident locations in the borough.

It would be truly complacent to do anything else.

I would be rightly criticised if we started spending taxpayers' money on areas which did not have an accident problem.

COUNCILLOR GEORGE TAYLOR

Executive Councillor for the Environment