“No timeline” for stopping dangerous U-turns, says Labour council

Southwark Council has told local councillors that there is “no timeline” for implementing fully funded changes to stop u-turns on West Lane, the Liberal Democrats can reveal.

Earlier in the summer, Liberal Democrat councillor for North Bermondsey Cllr Rachel Bentley, had branded the road “Keir Starmer Lane” due to how many U-turns were happening, voicing frustrations shared by residents and businesses about the dangerous junction. 

The Liberal Democrat councillor team for the ward allocated some of their share of the “community infrastructure levy” to fund works to end the u-turns, and urged restoration of the right hand turn from Southwark Park Road – the most straightforward and cost-effective solution. 

However, despite the council’s stated priority being road safety, and funding being earmarked for it, the council has repeatedly told Cllr Bentley that there are no plans to fix this. 

The Liberal Democrats say this is yet another example of a Labour council undermining local decision making, and not listening to communities when they have not just concerns, but fully funded solutions. 

Cllr Bentley also joined a local family to count how many u-turns were regularly happening at rush hour – counting multiple dangerous manoeuvres each time the lights changed. The family, who have an infant child who attends a nearby nursery, say that as pedestrians and cyclists it’s unsafe and chaotic.

Commenting, Bermondsey Councillor and Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader Cllr Rachel Bentley said: 

“It seems astonishing that despite local councillors putting money towards an oven-ready solution, the council is not acting to make what is currently a highly dangerous junction safer for everyone. It’s chaos and doesn't work for drivers, pedestrians, or cyclists. TfL know this, Southwark Highways know this but they’re refusing to sort it. 

Local people feel frustrated and let down by this Labour council, and are looking to the Liberal Democrats for change. 

We are passionate about empowering communities to make decisions about how to improve their area, and is a core part of our plan to fix Southwark.

The Council needs to stop procrastinating, and make this simple, costed change make this corner of Bermondsey safer before someone is seriously injured or worse.”

ENDS

Contact Ollie Bradfield on 07585190338 for more information.