Pedestrian crossing times have been cut to just six seconds at 25 busy pedestrian crossings across Wandsworth.

The figures were released after Transport for London (TfL) was criticised at City Hall by the London Assembly Transport Committee for not analysing collision rates where times were reduced.

Evidence compiled by University College London has challenged the evidence provided by TfL that people can cross at a speed of 1.2 metres per second suggesting this is too fast for people aged over 65.

Crossings included on the list are is the diagonal pedestrian crossing in Balham High Road, crossings on Putney High Street and the crossing on Roehampton Lane outside Queen Mary's Hospital.

The pedestrian crossing at Amen Corner, Tooting has also been reduced to six seconds, despite the death of Olivia McKie, 11, who was hit by a bus while crossing to Southcroft Road, Tooting.

A petition signed by hundreds of people requested a speed limit and traffic calming measures in the road.

Campaigner Trevor Hutton, of Beclands Road, Tooting, said: "My experience of the lights, crossing from Amen Corner across Mitcham Road is haphazard as frequently the sequence does not offer a green man light or timer.

"Traffic is often log jammed and I regularly see people crossing dangerously because the green man countdown has somehow not happened, this confuses pedestrians and they jaywalk instead."

At the end of last year Dennis McGoldrick, 69, was killed by a bus at the pedestrian crossing outside Tooting Broadway Station.

TfL have responded by stating green man time is just to advise people when to cross, and there is additional time to cross before lights switch to green for traffic.

Lilli Matson, head of delivery planning for surface transport at TfL, said: "Over the last eight years, there has been an eight per cent decrease in the number of pedestrians killed and seriously injured on London’s roads.

"Road safety is and remains a key priority.

"During 2012, the number of pedestrians killed on London’s roads was down 10 per cent compared to 2011 and we will continue to do everything we can to further reduce pedestrian casualties across London."

 

TODAY'S TOP WANDSWORTH STORIES