Drivers confused by new pedestrian crossing at Battersea Bridge

By Hannah Neary, Local Democracy Reporter

TfL has bungled a new crossing so badly it has had to hire police to direct traffic.

Met Police officers have been called to monitor traffic in Chelsea after a new pedestrian crossing opened this week and confused drivers.

The set-up was installed on the north side of Battersea Bridge by TfL after a man was killed on the bridge earlier this year in a collision with a vehicle.

Jack Ryan, 29, was killed at a nearby junction in January, which led to a campaign by residents to improve the safety of the site.

The crossing opened on Monday (November 15), south of the junction of Battersea Bridge, Beaufort Street, Cheyne Walk and Chelsea Embankment.

Conservative councillor for Kensington and Chelsea Johnny Thalassites tweeted: “I am grateful to TfL who I understand have arranged for police to be at the junction in peak times for the next week or so, and they were apparently on site this morning.

“TfL are also adding signs to warn drivers that the signals have changed.”

A local resident tweeted on November 17 that drivers were ignoring the new signals.

They said: “New pedestrian light at Battersea Bridge is being ignored by left turning car drivers: worth putting an extra sign… up before one of these cars smashes into a pedestrian.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “There is a new, clearly marked pedestrian crossing at this location and drivers must wait for a green signal before turning onto the bridge.

“Our engineers have not observed any issues so far but are on site to ensure that drivers comply with the new rules.”

As part of its bid to improve road safety in the area, TfL also pledged to widen pavements, improve cycle routes and lower the speed limit on Chelsea Embankment from 30mph to 20mph.

The Met Police was contacted for comment.