Concerned residents have set up a new campaign group calling for safer road crossings in Chislehurst.

Chris Wells has played a big part in launching the lobby group Chislehurst Safer Streets.

Mr Wells said the group has the backing of other road safety campaigners in the area, and came about following a consultation run by the Chislehurst Society.

He said the council’s local plan – which sets out highway and transport priorities – was a springboard for a new campaign.

“We organised a consultation in November and asked a range of questions,” the campaigner said.

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“We were surprised about how strongly people felt about calming the traffic in Chislehurst. So strong it spooked a few members. We decided to set up this campaign. It’s a long time coming.

“The issues have come to a head. We think that another opportunity exists”.

The group has focussed on getting more crossings installed on the A222 – specifically at the war memorial, where the campaigners say schoolkids make dangerous journeys.

Chilsehurst Safer Streets says the war memorial has a history of bad crashes, and said previous schemes touted by the council, such as widening the A222 or installing a roundabout at the crossroads, would not help the problem.

CSS wants to see more crossings – zebra crossings at Hangman’s Corner and Shepherds Green, and a pelican crossing at the war memorial.

“We’ve got a busy and dangerous road, with people genuinely wanting to sign up to the agenda of walking more and cycling more but we have a criss-cross of roads that makes it difficult.”

The group is preparing a petition that will be handed into the council later this year.

Bromley Council says it has proposed changes in the past, but it does not own parts of the land needed to get schemes off the ground.

Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, cabinet member for environment and community services, said: “The latest casualty data shows that Bromley continues to have one of the lowest casualty rates anywhere in London.

“Our existing policies show we are committed to doing more.

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“For around the last decade, there have been various plans to introduce crossing facilities at the war memorial junction which would require some common land to be used, which is not owned by the council.

“Without this land and the lane it would be provide, the additional traffic delays, rat-running and road safety problems caused by introducing a pedestrian phase would make any improvement unworkable plus impact resident amenity on residential roads and quite probably result in more accidents on side roads that are alleviated on the main road.”

The councillor said that while collisions at the junction are relatively low, the authority has been in contact with schools and residents to explain the current situation.