30 Year Old Battle Resumes over Road Crossing

3.29.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 26th Sep 2005

Residents of the Dene Estate in Whitton, on the A316, have been trying for 30 years to secure agreement for a pedestrian crossing to help pedestrian residents reduce the long journey to Whitton High Street. The A316 is fast and dangerous and, at present, the only alternative route is via a pedestrian underpass, to the west, which elderly residents find threatening and difficult to use. Vincent Cable MP has taken up the issue and has already obtained agreement, in principle, from Transport for London to build the crossing; but he is meeting senior executives from TfL this week to try to pin them down to a date and to a financial commitment.

Vincent Cable said: "Residents have been putting forward petitions and polite requests for 30 years and, in the meantime, the A316 has become busier and more dangerous. The Estate is very pleasant and has quiet charm but it is isolated from shopping and public transport and those without a car have a struggle."