ROAD SAFETY
Taking steps to
safety
The number of people being killed or seriously injured on the borough ’ s roads is falling . Ealing Council is trying to make it fall further , and a trial of a new 20mph zone across Acton is one of its latest attempts .
There were 63 people either killed or seriously injured on the borough ’ s roads during 2015 , which was the lowest recorded level to date . This welcome reduction is not least down to changes on our roads made by the council .
But a single casualty is one too many and the council has been working on ways to make our streets safer for everyone – pedestrians , cyclists and drivers .
These measures include more pedestrian crossings , cycle training for both children and adults , wider pavements in certain places , and changes to road layouts to reduce speeding and dangerous parking and help cyclists .
A one-year road safety trial is currently taking place in five wards east of the North Circular in Acton . Since September , all traffic in these areas has been restricted to travelling at a maximum speed of 20mph , although some Transport for London-controlled routes , including A406 Hanger Lane and the A40 Western Avenue , are exempt . The outcome of the trial will be reviewed in the autumn . If it is successful , residents will be asked their views on extending it across the borough .
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz , cabinet member for transport , environment and leisure , said : “ I want Ealing ’ s roads to be the safest in London and we are doing all we can to achieve this , while still allowing traffic to flow . As a cyclist , I am very aware of how the road design and layout has a big impact on how safe people feel , so changes such as the Danish-style , cycle-friendly roundabout at the junction between Steyne Road and Acton High
30 around ealing Spring 2017