Concerned parents and residents are set to stage a protest at St Margarets Roundabout on Friday, 17 October (8:15am–8:45am), calling for urgent safety improvements.

The demonstration, led by local parent and campaigner Laura Kerry, follows more than a year of complaints to Transport for London (TfL) about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists using the A316 crossing near St Stephen's Church of England Primary School.

Campaigners say the crossing, which serves hundreds of families on the school run, remains unsafe despite minor timing adjustments to the lights made by TfL earlier this year.

In January 2024, the issue gained widespread attention when mother Rosie Greaves and her three young children were nearly killed after a driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed through the crossing barriers, narrowly missing them.

Residents say the barriers are often seen damaged or knocked down, a reminder of their safety risk.

The pedestrian island after Ms Greaves' accident in January 2024 (credit: Laura Kerry).

"An accident waiting to happen"

Kerry, who moved to the area three years ago and has six-year-old twins at St Stephen's School, said she began campaigning after feeling "fobbed off" by TfL despite repeated complaints.

"I was dreading moving here because of the A316 and knowing what our walk to school would be," she said.

"The crossings around St Margarets Roundabout take absolutely ages and are fixed in favour of the car rather than the pedestrian.

"I can guarantee every parent crossing there has had a near miss. It's an accident waiting to happen."

Kerry's petition, launched in 2024 with the support of local Councillor Katie Mansfield, has since gathered nearly 2,500 signatures, calling for TfL to take stronger action.

She added: "It's as if TfL won't make major changes because there hasn't been a fatality. But do we really have to wait for someone to die before something is done?"

Parents are set to protest at the roundabout to force action from TfL (credit: Laura Kerry).

Parents demand urgent safety measures

Campaigners are calling for:

• Extended pedestrian and cycle crossing times at St Margarets Roundabout
• Stronger physical barriers to protect pedestrians and cyclists
• A timeline for reducing the A316 speed limit from 40mph to 30mph between St Margarets Roundabout and Twickenham Bridge
• Improved safety on the shared pedestrian and cycle path north of the A316
• Separate paths for cyclists and walkers between St Margarets Roundabout and Whitton Road

TfL engineers previously visited the site, but Kerry says the inspection took place outside of peak school-run hours and did not reflect the real danger faced by families.

"They added maybe seven seconds to the crossing lights," Kerry said. "It's not enough. People still get stuck on the island in the middle while traffic rushes past at 50 miles per hour."

Laura Kerry's Change.org petition urging TfL to address dangers at the junction has reached 2,472 signatures (credit: Charlotte Lilywhite/LDRS).

"The safety of us all"

Kerry said Friday's protest is open to anyone who wants to see change.

She added: "The safety of us all, pedestrians, cyclists, parents, children, the elderly. It's important to everyone. This affects the whole community.

"Sadiq Khan is responsible for keeping us safe, but at this roundabout, he's not doing his job. Nearly 2,500 people have said this crossing is unsafe — how many more will it take for TfL to act?"

In the Mayor of London's Vision Zero action plan introduced in 2018, it states that "when we leave our homes each day, we should feel safe and confident about the journey ahead."

It also details how almost three quarters of fatal and serious injury collisions in London occur at junctions and how people who walk or cycle are more at risk of an accident - all areas which apply to the St Margarets Roundabout.

TfL has said that a 30mph speed limit was put in place at the roundabout and to the west as part of the London Road scheme in April 2024.

It will also carry out updated speed surveys at the roundabout in early November to help determine if further safety measures including barriers around the pedestrian island and warning signs are required. 

TfL says its exploring signage options around the roundabout to highlight the presence of the crossing adjacent to the primary school following indications of red light violations.

Posters and banners can be seen spread around the Twickenham junction (credit: Laura Kerry).

A TfL spokesperson told Nub News: "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. Margaret's roundabout, speed limit reductions to the west of St. Margaret's 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."

To find out more about Laura Kerry's campaign click here.