Road safety concerns on the A217 / entrance of Lumley Road
Request ID: FOI-3135-2324 Date published: 17 January 2024
You asked
Thank you for this update regarding the enforcement camera.. I thought this must be the case as although nearly all are now observing the no right turns there are a few repeat offenders and obviously they are not being penalised.
In your previous email you say that I am disappointed in your reply. I just wanted to make it clear it is the response to you from the relevant TFL stakeholders and lack of information and in particular the inaction from them is what I am disappointed with.
I fully appreciate your endeavourers to get me information and can only believe you must also feel frustrated in the constant delays and inactions.
Regrettably I believe the only way going forward I have to get urgent action from those responsible at TFL is with a FOI request for the chain of events from the request from LBS to the current date including all communication. I realise this causes extra work but if it gets action could save a life.
I reiterate again for the record that currently a potentially fatality is in danger of occurring where some long wheel base HGV and PSV vehicles mount the pavement by up to a meter when entering Lumley Road from Sutton Bypass. This was witnessed at a council site meeting last July when the LBS Bourgh then contacted TFL asking for urgent action, safety stubs or bollard posts on the edge of the pavement was suggested.
Clarification received 16/12/2023: Because of concerns raised by local people xxxxx, xxxx and myself had a site meeting in July where we all witnessed HGV vehicles wheels going over the pedestrian area of the pavement at the junction of Lumley Road with the Sutton By-pass. The borough Engineer then made TFL aware of the dangers including pictures and asked for urgent action such as installing a bell bollard or similar be placed on the pavement. The area of the pavement that the vehicles go over is where pedestrians and cyclist stand waiting to cross the road.
TFL state that safety matters take priority yet nearly 6 months after a potential lethal road safety issue was brought to TFLs attention from the Borough Engineer of Sutton Council there has been no action to remedy the problem. I have made regular enquiries regarding an update and schedule of works to remedy the situation via Glen D’Gama who has in turn asked the stakeholders for an update but no reply of any consequence was forthcoming from them. As far as I am aware there has not even been a site survey meeting by TFL.
Please provide a copy of all communications within TFL regarding this matter from July . Also provide minutes of stakeholder meetings regarding this danger and proposals to remedy. Please explain why such a serious situation has not been actioned in a timely manner in line with TFLs stated response to safety issues.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3135-2324
Thank you for your request of 16th December 2023 about the A217 entrance of Lumley Road.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Because of concerns raised by local people Councillor Tony Shields, The Bourgh Engineer and myself had a site meeting in July where we all witnessed HGV vehicles wheels going over the pedestrian area of the pavement at the junction of Lumley Road with the Sutton By-pass. The borough Engineer then made TFL aware of the dangers including pictures and asked for urgent action such as installing a bell bollard or similar be placed on the pavement. The area of the pavement that the vehicles go over is where pedestrians and cyclist stand waiting to cross the road.
TFL state that safety matters take priority yet nearly 6 months after a potential lethal road safety issue was brought to TFLs attention from the Borough Engineer of Sutton Council there has been no action to remedy the problem. I have made regular enquiries regarding an update and schedule of works to remedy the situation via Glen D’Gama who has in turn asked the stakeholders for an update but no reply of any consequence was forthcoming from them. As far as I am aware there has not even been a site survey meeting by TFL.
Please provide a copy of all communications within TFL regarding this matter from July . Also provide minutes of stakeholder meetings regarding this danger and proposals to remedy. Please explain why such a serious situation has not been actioned in a timely manner in line with TFLs stated response to safety issues.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
The requested communications are attached. Note that the direct contact details of TfL staff, the names and direct contact details of external staff, and any other personal information, has been redacted under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, the exemption that protects against the unfair release of personal data. There are no minutes of stakeholder meetings.
As reflected in the correspondence attached, when completing work such as this there are a number of stakeholders within TfL that require engagement. It was not possible to simply install bollards in the footway area due to the existing cycle lane. Once we had formulated a design in response to the issues raised the proposed measures had to be checked with various teams to ensure that they met the requirements of relevant legislation and guidance. Unfortunately, this does take time, although the response team had been working to get this issue resolved as soon as possible. I understand that bollards have now been installed and the cycle lane resurfaced, and all other associated works completed.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
