Following Barnet Council’s approval of funding for a set of measures to improve road safety in Victoria Road, Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has welcomed the news as a big step forward for the Walksafe campaign.
After a number of traffic collisions, near misses and speeding problems in Victoria Road, local residents took action and formed the Walksafe campaign. They gained Theresa’s backing as the local MP, and also persuaded Barnet Council to run a consultation on what action should be taken. The council’s first set of proposals included a one-way system, which was not acceptable to residents because it could have speeded up traffic. Thanks to the Walksafe campaign, this was removed from the plans.
Theresa Villiers said: “Barnet Council’s decision is a real success for all the residents who have made the Walksafe campaign happen. I particularly welcome the proposal to introduce a 20 mph limit. I have been strongly backing the Walksafe campaign for a 20mph limit and other measures to improve road safety in Victoria Road.”
“It is great to see this local campaign group making a real difference. But there is still more to be done. Residents want a timeframe for delivery of the forthcoming improvements. Problems with the junction of Victoria Road and East Barnet Road also need to be addressed. These are on hold pending progress on the nearby Asda development, but it is important that they are not held up indefinitely.”
In backing Walksafe, Theresa has attended meetings, listened to residents’ concerns and lobbied Barnet Council on their behalf. Her intervention proved effective, for example when she took residents to see the head teacher of JCoSS school. At the meeting the head teacher agreed to ensure school bus drivers slowed down when in Victoria Road, reducing problems experienced by residents with speeding traffic.