Over 60 accidents in three years, say campaigners

ROAD safety campaigners have slammed Mayor of London Boris Johnson after he ruled out taking action to slow down traffic on a busy one-way system.

The Mayor says there are no plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit on roads controlled by Transport for London (TfL) in the southern section of the so-called “King’s Cross gyratory”.

Campaigners claim there have been 63 crashes on the one-way system since 2007 – killing one person and injuring 16 more.

In August, a 32-year-old policeman was hospitalised as he answered a 999 call when his patrol car collided with a civilian vehicle at the junction of Euston Road, Gray’s Inn Road, York Way and Pentonville Road.

Caroline Pidgeon, deputy chairwoman of the London Assembly’s transport committee, said: “The Mayor can’t explain away the facts. The one-way system is a very dangerous road, and it needs fixing.”

But Mr Johnson told the London Assembly: “There have been few speed-related collisions along Pentonville Road, Penton Rise and Kings Cross Road and therefore TfL currently has no additional proposals at this location.

“However, a scheme to provide southbound cycle facilities has recently been implemented on Penton Rise which has narrowed the carriageway and is expected to reduce speeds on this section of the gyratory.”

Earlier this year Islington Council voted to introduce a 20mph speed limit in Wharfdale Road, which links York Way and Caledonian Road in the northern section of the gyratory.