Scheme unveiled to improve safety at 'tricky' junction in Balham residential street

Highways engineers have unveiled plans to redesign a hazardous junction in a Balham residential street to improve safety for pedestrians and road users.

The plans call for a series of safety measures to be installed at the junction of Laitwood Road and Ormeley Road.

They include footway build-outs which make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross the road by shortening the distance between pavements.

The junction will be re-modelled and an existing traffic island will be extended and enlarged to form a proper pedestrian island offering more protection to people travelling on foot.

The changes are designed to slow vehicle speeds at this junction and improve driver visibility.

They will also attempt to offer greater protection to a sewer vent at this location that is regularly damaged.

Residents in the neighbourhood will shortly receive letters outlining the proposed changes and inviting comments. Work is scheduled to get underway next month.

Transport spokesman Cllr John Locker said: "This is a wide and to some degree a tricky junction for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. These changes should make it safer and easier to negotiate."