Calls for speed camera after Ivin John's death

1:26pm Tuesday 1st July 2008

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Friends and relatives of an aspiring model who was killed in a road crash in Clapham Common have called for a speed camera at the spot where he died.

Campaigners gathered in Clapham Common Westside on Friday, brandishing petitions and makeshift stop signs.

"I saw so many cars speeding, unaware of the speed limit."

Emran John

It was exactly one week since Ivin John, 21, of West Norwood, was pronounced dead at the scene after being hit by a van while on the way to meet his girlfriend.

His brother Emran said a speed camera is urgently needed to prevent further deaths, but Transport for London (Tfl) only install cameras when there have been four serious accidents in three years in a particular road.

Emran said: "This is disgraceful. There is a playground nearby, and if a child were to run out it could mean the loss of another young life. Standing at the road, I saw so many cars speeding, unaware of the speed limit. We must have got about 5,000 signatures."

The 24-year-old told of his dismay at hearing news of his brother's death.

"I got a call, and just hung up the phone. It was devastating. I still don't know how to react and am in shock."

He paid tribute to his brother, describing him as "outgoing and jovial, a very outspoken, stubborn character."

"He wanted to be an animator and was a very talented artist, always drawing characters from Winnie the Pooh. He was very popular too. He always said he wanted to be called the defined one'. Now I know that's what he was. One friend said Ivin was like a father to him. I'm really proud of him."

Local residents have echoed the call for traffic calming measures in the road.

One, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's such a notorious area. A car once mounted the pavement and just missed hitting me and my daughter."

But TfL said the occurence of road collisions at that location was rare.

A spokesman said: "TfL's Road Safety Unit have stringent programmes to identify areas that require extra road safety measures based on collision history. At this time there are no plans for additional traffic calming measures on this road."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident on June 20.

Anyone with information should call 020 8941 9011.