Concerned parents met with senior TfL representatives to discuss road safety outside East Sheen Primary School.

There has been concern about the crossings on Upper Richmond Road West for several years. The main worry for parents and staff is in relation to visibility and the suitability of the types of crossings outside the school, as well as lack of suitable signage in the area.

Recently, local parent Ruth Roberts experienced a near miss with her son at the zebra crossing outside Gilpin Avenue in East Sheen. Following the incident, she launched a petition which received over 500 signatures. The crossing was discussed during the meeting and parents got the opportunity to relay their experiences to TfL and share ideas on how improvements to the area could be made.

As a first step, TfL have agreed to improve the halo lights at the crossing and signage surrounding the school by January 2019. They also introduced plans to improve the entire stretch of the Upper Richmond Road including the crossings. TfL will be consulting on their proposals in the spring of 2019.

Zac said: “I am grateful to TfL for taking the issue seriously and for promising immediate action to make the crossings safer. Although parents were concerned by the length of time it may take to deliver the longer term plans, they were reassured by the proposals put forward, and by TfL’s willingness to introduce stop gap measures.”

The meeting was organised by Zac Goldsmith MP, and senior TfL meet Headmistress Liz Page and parents.