The London Borough of Harrow (Harrow Council) wants to introduce another 20mph zone in the borough following a spate of traffic collisions, one of which resulted in the death of an 82-year old woman. Residents have been ‘very concerned’ that some roads in Edgware pose a particular danger and want something done about it.
Harrow Council launched a seven-week public consultation that finished last week (September 14) to get feedback from residents on how it could make the Mollison Way area safer for drivers and pedestrians.
Local residents had voiced concerns to both councillors and the police on numerous occasions after several injuries following crashes, including the death of Mary Jane Watson in March of last year. Mary was killed when 30-year old Ilie Carneala smashed into her car at 63mph in his Porsche.
Carneala was jailed for six years in July after speeding into 82-year-old as she drove to church. The court heard had he been going 30mph, it’s likely Mary would still be alive.
Another incident in March of this year, saw a woman miraculously cheat death after a driver ploughed into her whilst she was working under the bonnet of her car. The woman was thrown five-metres along the pavement, whilst the other car went straight through a fence – hitting another parked vehicle in the process.
Following a series of meetings organised by the residents, the feedback was that the road was dangerous and something needed to be done to keep people safe. Harrow Council, alongside Transport for London (TfL), have suggested reducing the overall speed limit in the area from 30mph, as well as further measures to slow down traffic.
The 20mph zone will include Bridgewater Gardens, Chichester Court, Coombe Close, Lawrence Crescent, Mollison Way, Reynolds Drive, Shaldon Road, St Austell Close, Teignmouth Close, Tiverton Road, Turner Road, and Waltham Drive.
The council also put forward further options, including 20mph painted road signs, speed bumps, a Vehicle Activated Sign – an electronic sign displaying a drivers speed or a message – on Mollison Way and traffic islands at the roundabout on Turner Road to “aid lane discipline”.
It is hoped that the new measures will reduce the number of accidents resulting in injuries, encourage walking and cycling whilst at the same time making the roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and discouraging ‘rat-running’ through the area.
The portfolio holder for environment and community safety, Cllr Anjana Patel, will make the final decision on the scheme in due course. If the scheme is approved, the works are expected to start between Winter 2023 and Spring 2024.
