SOLUTION TO WHITE HART LANE SAFETY PROBLEMS MUST BE FOUND - KRAMER

4.13.16pm GMT Fri 25th Jan 2008

Susan Kramer MP met with councillors, Council Officers and representatives of Barnes Primary School to discuss the dangers for pedestrians at the White Hart Lane level crossing.

Network Rail has now agreed to investigate the feasibility of undertaking a full feasibility study into installing a footbridge at the site.

Although Network Rail has asked the council to consider closing the crossing to car traffic altogether, everyone present at the meeting thought this would be a bad idea, both because of community access, local shops and the diversion of traffic onto already crowded roads like Sheen Lane.

Susan Kramer MP commented:

"Many parents with youngsters are understandably concerned about safety at the crossing - a parent and youngsters were nearly crushed by a van racing the barrier just a few weeks ago."

"Although difficult to locate and likely to prove expensive, a footbridge does look like the most reasonable solution to improve safety here."

"Network Rail say that the crossing barriers are currently down up to 30 minutes in each hour, and this could increase to 45 minutes as more trains are introduced."

"It is vital that safety is improved for pedestrians is improved so they are not endangered by vehicles trying to race under the barrier before it closes."