MORE THAN 50,000 PEDESTRIANS HURT OR KILLED ON LONDON ROADS IN 6 YEARS

12.01.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 7th Apr 2004

Speaking on World Health Day which is highlighting road deaths, Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate, Simon Hughes, today revealed new figures that show 51,480 pedestrians were killed or injured on the roads in London since 1997.

The figures revealed in a Parliamentary answer to Mr Hughes shows that for the most recent figures available (1997-2002), 793 people were killed, with 50,687 injured in London.

While numbers of casualties have been going down over recent years, Mr Hughes described the situation as "equivalent to a war zone".

Mr Hughes said:-

"It is certainly welcome that the number of fatalities and injuries on London roads are going down. But more than 50,000 pedestrians killed and injured by road traffic, we must make sure that protection of pedestrians is kept at the forefront of transport policy.

"Councils should be rightly proud of the initial steps taken to reduce the number of injuries and deaths of pedestrians on our roads. However, there is no room for complacency.

"Constant ideas need to be sought and initiated by Local Boroughs to ensure that the road death and injury toll is kept to a minimum."

ENDS

Notes to editor

Borough by Borough breakdowns of road deaths and injuries can be obtained by contacting Richard Stokoe on 0207 227 1326