New Crossing Neither Needed Nor Wanted

1.44.42pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 23rd Oct 2006

The Labour Council is being criticised for building an 'unnecessary' pedestrian crossing on Hornsey High Street, resulting in the felling of a mature tree and the covering of a historic piece of common green land with tarmac. There are now three such pedestrian crossings within 150 metres of each other at the east end of the road.

The idea behind the crossing was to facilitate a cycle route which Lib Dem councillors argue could very easily have been diverted to one of the existing two crossings.

Hornsey Ward Councillor Robert Gorrie comments: "Labour are busy installing an expensive crossing, whilst at the same time building on historic green land and showing a complete disregard for the grassland - parking construction vehicles and equipment all over it, rather than on the street.

"The new crossing leads to a lane with no safe crossing - a perfect 'rat-run' for drivers who will want to skip the new traffic lights we are getting here, and there is no evidence that there has been thought given to the safety of pedestrians.

"It has been built in the wrong place, is badly designed and potentially dangerous. I am not aware of any consultation with residents on this project, which has shown no respect for the local environment. It seems to me to be completely unnecessary, and I have asked the council to stop the construction and rethink their plans."