Crashes on ‘dangerous’ Bromley road spark fear and fury among residents

By Kiro Evans, Local Democracy Reporter

A ‘dangerous’ London street where a garden wall was demolished by a crashed car and road accidents are common has left residents demanding action.

Campaigners said Homesdale Road in Bromley has seen far too many scrapes and crashes and residents have labelled it a “problem street”.

Multiple road smashes in December have now brought the issue to a head.

Last month, an SUV flipped over in the street after a serious crash.

It is believed a motorcyclist and a car also had a head-on collision at the end of the year.

The problem is not a new one. In a shocking crash in 2020, resident Vincent Curry woke up to find a car had ploughed into his front garden.

It destroyed his garden wall and came to a halt just inches in front of his front door.

The council insists action is under way to prevent further accidents.

The layout of the narrow road, which combines a steep hill and parked cars down one side, contributes to the problems.

Other residents said the road, which is close to the Waldo Road waste centre, leaves lorry drivers struggling to squeeze through the narrow gap and through the restricted railway bridge at the bottom of the hill.

Mr Curry said: “It was coming up to 8am and I was in bed and heard a car crash and I thought ‘oh God, let me see what’s going on.’

“I went downstairs to find the car right near my front door.

“I feel it’s not safe because we have had at least three serious accidents there. The cars are coming up a bit of a hill, so they’re probably a bit unsighted. It’s not conducive to good driving.”

David Martin, 66, who has lived in his house in Homesdale Road for 38 years, said his parked car was once hit by speeding vehicles.

He added: “It’s a problem and it’s a pain in the neck.

“Something’s got to be done. It’s been an issue for as long as I know. Lowering the speed limits would help.”

On the opposite side of the road, Dallas Dinsmore said she was also having a problem with speeding cars.

She said: “It’s definitely dangerous. You can hear the cars revving their engines as they go past. It’s just a nightmare crossing the road.”

Bromley councillor Nicky Dykes, who said she consulted with residents before Christmas to solve the dangerous road problem, said: “In Bromley, road casualties continue to decrease, with the numbers of serious casualties on Bromley roads reducing by nearly 50% between 2010 and 2020 – one of the highest reductions in London.

“However, unfortunately there are still occasions where drivers drive irresponsibly, such as on Homesdale Road.

“Further improving road safety is a priority for us and we have already had pedestrian crossings added to Homesdale Road, enforcement of the box junction by Waldo Road and secured speed checks from the police who are responsible for enforcing speed limits on our roads.”

The Bromley Lib Dems, who have been campaigning on this issue of safety, said: “We believe Homesdale Road and surrounding roads should be made part of a 20 mph zone enforced with speed cameras.

“The number of serious accidents recently means that people who live in the area no longer feel safe in their own homes.

“There are four schools nearby and families will drive rather than walk to school because they don’t feel safe on the pavements.

“Local people have been asking the council to act for years. Their only action so far has been speed checks which only have an impact while people with hi-vis vests are on site.

“It’s just unacceptable for the council to say they are waiting for more people to be killed or seriously injured before they act.”