Parents and children from south west London took to the streets this morning (Friday, 17 October) demanding change to a "dangerous" crossing in Twickenham.

Residents from St Margarets voiced concerns to Transport for London (TfL) and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan after years of worry over the St Margarets roundabout crossing on the A316, just outside a local primary school, where a vehicle collision occurred in January last year.

Organised by Laura Kerry and St Margarets parents, campaigners said the timing for the pedestrian crossing outside St Stephen's Primary School was not long enough, despite TfL recently adding seven seconds, and described the island on the roundabout between Chertsey Road as a "death trap".

Protesters are also calling for clearer signage of the 30mph speed limit on the A316, claiming some vehicles travel at up to 50mph.

"It's absolutely brilliant to get parents and children engaging with the cause, but children are a bit oblivious to safety, which is the whole reason why this is important," admitted Kerry.

Parents and Children from St Margarets protesting for a safer crossing at the A316 roundabout (credit: Cesar Medina).

However, ahead of the protest, Richmond Council revealed that it has entered discussions with TfL about implementing changes to that section of the A316 and holding monthly meetings with parents and councillors to discuss improvements.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Gareth Roberts, told Nub News: "We have finally got TfL to start engaging. We had a meeting yesterday [Thursday, 16 October] and they're going to go back, look at the plans and then hopefully come up with changes.

"We are going to make sure the newly reduced speeds on the A316 are properly advertised because people do not know that this used to be a 40mph road and is now 30mph."

Kerry's original petition demanding a review of the St Margarets crossing by TfL gathered 2,500 signatures and brought out dozens of members of the local community today.

Children held signs reading "SADIQ, STOP IGNORING CHILDREN'S SAFETY" and "TFL, OUR WALK TO SCHOOL IS NOT SAFE", chanting "safety not speed" beside the footbridge as a 15-metre-long banner carried the same message.

The St Margarets footbridge carries a poster with a message to Sadiq Khan (credit: Cesar Medina).

St Margarets and North Twickenham Cllr Katie Mansfield said: "There are so many changes we want here. We want school signage, we want a separated cycle lane all the way down here because there is a conflict between cyclists and people walking."

As parents and children protested, passing motorists could be heard beeping their horns in support of the demonstration.

"I've knocked on doors and we see a huge amount of support," added Cllr Mansfield. "There isn't anybody pushing back on what we are trying to achieve.

"If you think about the segregated cycle lane here, that doesn't just benefit pedestrians, it benefits cyclists and motorists, so there's no downside apart from getting the attention and prioritisation of funding from TfL for it."

Residents are calling on Sadiq Khan to commit to:

• Clear timelines for safer crossings, extended 30mph zone near walking routes and school signage.
• Urgent review of barriers and
• Implementation of a segregated cycle lane.
• Transparent engagement that delivers results, not delays.

Richmond Council Transport Committee Chair Cllr Alexander Ehmann said: "I'm hopeful that we'll get progress, but I think they shouldn't be under any illusions that residents and parents at St Stephen's School really take the threat of danger around this roundabout very seriously and will hold them to account."

A TfL spokesperson said: "We are working with Richmond to improve safety and have already made significant changes to improve safety in the area.

"These include traffic signal retiming at St Margarets Roundabout, speed limit reductions to the west of St Margarets Roundabout and significant safety improvements at the London Road junction with the A316.

"Keeping everyone travelling in the capital safely is our top priority and we're determined to ensure that changes to London's roads ensure safety is improved.

"Throughout the capital, we use a data-led approach to reducing danger and targeting investment in safety.

"We continue to monitor roads across the borough and regularly meet with local communities and their representatives to discuss proposed changes."

READ MORE: Parents to protest over 'death trap' St Margarets crossing as calls grow for urgent safety action.