Bromley Road/Whitefoot Lane junction – story so far
Transport for London issued a letter providing an update about the long promised improvements to the Tiger’s Head junction (the junction of Bromley Road, Whitefoot Lane and Southend Lane).
It seems work will finally start on much the needed pedestrian improvement to this dangerous junction later this year.
The story so far
Below are written answers from the current and former Mayor of London concerning the site.
Mayor answers to London
Pedestrian improvements-junction Bromley Rd/Southend Lane/Whitefoot Lane
Question number 0861/2011
Meeting date 23/03/2011
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
Further to MQ 31/2011, could you please confirm:
(a) the proposed dates for consulting with Lewisham Council and other interested groups?
(b) What timescale, if any, TfL has for actually implementing any pedestrian improvements?
Answer by Boris Johnson
Given no unexpected delays or issues with the design, TfL aims to consult with Lewisham Council and other key stakeholders in July 2011 with wider public consultation planned for late July/August 2011.
Assuming no underlying issues occur, including with the safety audit, consultation or internal approvals, it is hoped improvements will be completed by Autumn 2012.
Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head junction, Bromley Road, Lewisham
Question number 2280/2010
Meeting date 14/07/2010
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
In answer to MQ (1590/2010), you stated: “TfL is now investigating whether pedestrian improvements can be provided on the two unsignalised arms and, if so, in what form. TfL anticipate that their review will be complete by the end of June.” Please can you provide an update as to the outcome of this review and set out what steps TfL will now take to improve pedestrian safety at this junction?
Answer by Boris Johnson
Investigations have shown that signalised pedestrian crossings across bothWhitefoot Lane andBromley Road will have a severely negative impact on traffic capacity, with resultant increased queue lengths at this junction. TfL is now investigating whether a more fundamental change to the junction layout will make it possible to provide a signalised crossing across one or both of these arms. The result of this investigation will be available at the beginning of September.
Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head Junction, Bromley Road, Lewisham
Question number 1590/2010
Meeting date 19/05/2010
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
In answer to a question in October 2009, MQ (3047/2009) about the inadequate pedestrian crossing facilities at the Tiger’s Head junction on Bromley Road, Whitefoot Lane and South Lane, you stated “TfL intends to provide improvements at this junction once a viable scheme has been identified which takes into account the competing needs of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. You further stated: “a design is now being developed and new surveys are currently being carried out so a variety of options can be modeled and their viability checked”. Considering that the first promise to make pedestrian improvements at this junction was made in January 2006 (MQ (0098/2006)) will you now give a specific timetable as to when pedestrian improvements will finally be made at this junction?
Answer by Boris Johnson
A scheme was developed in 2006 which provided ‘straight across’ crossings on all arms of the junction. However, checks on the modelling for this scheme found that, if it had been implemented, it would have caused severe congestion on both the Transport for London Road Network and on surrounding borough roads.
TfL is now investigating whether pedestrian improvements can be provided on the two unsignalised arms and, if so, in what form. TfL anticipate that their review will be complete by the end of June.
Mayor answers to London
Lewisham crossings
Question number 0116/2010
Meeting date 27/01/2010
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
You failed to properly answer my question (3048/2009) about the Tiger’s Head and theCourthill Road junctions in Lewisham which I asked in October 2009. Following the immense delays in ensuring there are improvements in pedestrian safety at these two specific junctions at Lewisham, and also the significant direct representations that have made to you by Assembly Members, local councillors, Lewisham Council and members of the public, I would like to ask again whether you yourself would be willing to join me and look at these dangers that presently exist at these two junctions?
Answer by Boris Johnson
In my answer to MQ3048 / 2009, I said that TfL would contact you to discuss this issue. As I understand it, the Director of Integrated Programme Delivery within TfL Surface Transport met you on 3 November 2009 for a discussion. As experts and highway authority for this junction, it is correct that TfL discusses this with you on my behalf. Should a site meeting still be required, please let TfL know.
Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head junction, Bromley Road, Lewisham
Question number 3047/2009
Meeting date 14/10/2009
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
Following the serious road accident that took place on the 8th September 2009 at the Tiger’s Head junction where Bromley Road meets White foot Lane and Southend Lane, and further also to the long standing promises made by TfL to improve this junction, especially for pedestrians as you stated in replies provided to Question Numbers 0098/2006, 2459/2008 and 0656/2009, together with your most recent claim that TfL is now working on a revised scheme as stated in answer to Question Number 1144/2009, will you now finally provide a clear assurance to Lewisham residents that improvements will at long last take place at this highly dangerous junction?
Answer by Boris Johnson
TfL intends to provide improvements at this junction once a viable scheme has been identified which takes into account the competing needs of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. However, to date it has been difficult to identify a scheme to provide pedestrian facilities without introducing significant disruption to other road users. Nonetheless a design is now being developed and new surveys are currently being carried out so a variety of options can be modelled and their viability checked. The recent accident is being examined by the Metropolitan Police and TfL will consider any outcomes from their investigation in due course.
Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head junction, Bromley Road, Lewisham
Question number 1144/2009
Meeting date 21/05/2009
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
Further to the long standing promises made by TfL to improve pedestrian facilities at the Tiger’s Head junction at the junction of Bromley Road with Whitefoot Lane and Southend Lane and the replies provided to Question Numbers 0098/2006, 2459/2008 and 0656/2009 can a specific date now be provided as to when, after many years of delay and false promises made to local councillors and residents in south Lewisham, the pedestrian facilities at this junction will finally be completed?
Answer by Boris Johnson
TfL has undertaken work to consider whether a scheme can be designed that would allow a pedestrian facility to be provided without impacting on the journey times of other road users through the junction. Unfortunately TfL has been unable to find a scheme design that would provide the correct balance, and would not increase delays and congestion around the junction. A review of previously developed proposals for the junction revealed that the impact on general traffic of an all red pedestrian stage would have been to considerably increase delays and congestion well beyond acceptable limits.
TfL is, however, still undertaking work to consider whether a revised scheme can be designed that would allow a pedestrian facility to be provided without impacting on the journey times of other road users through the junction
Mayor answers to London
Junction of Whitefield Lane and Bromley Road, Lewisham
Question number 2459/2008
Meeting date 12/11/2008
Question by Caroline Pidgeon
By what date will improvements for pedestrians at the junction of Whitefield Lane and Bromley Road in Lewisham have been completed?
Answer by Boris Johnson
TfL recognises that there is a need for improvements at this junction, especially for pedestrians. TfL is planning to make improvements to the junction and the latest designs are being reviewed currently. Subject to the outcome of this, TfL estimate that they may be in a position to consult on its plans for the junction in Spring 2009.
Mayor answers to London
Tiger’s Head Junction
Question number 0098/2006
Meeting date 25/01/2006
Question by Graham Tope
Can you confirm that as a part of TfL Street Management’s plan to improve the A20 Bromley Road junction with Southend/Whitefoot Lane, two new green man crossings will be added to this junction?
Answer by Ken Livingstone (2nd Term)
Yes. The design for the scheme to improve pedestrian facilities at this junction is complete. The scheme would provide controlled (green man) pedestrian crossings on all arms of the junction, but requires a strip of land owned by Lewisham Council to be taken into the highway.TfL and Lewisham are in the process of negotiating terms for the transfer of this land. TfL will make every effort to reach a swift conclusion to these negotiations. Once this matter is finalised the scheme is then ready to move forward to construction.
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