THE FAMILY of a 91-year-old man who died after being hit by a car has urged councillors to try to make the fatal crash scene safer.

Great grandfather Basant Lal Sharma died after a collision with a car at the zebra crossing in Wanstead High Street near the junctions with Grove Park and Woodbine Place on May 31.

Since doctors confirmed his death in hospital at 1.06pm that day, floral tributes have flooded the scene of the crash and his family have paid tribute to their “proud, well-respected” relative who was “loved by everyone he met”.

Despite their “utter devastation” Mr Sharma’s son Yagya met with councillors last week to discuss ways to make the two junctions safer.

The 57-year-old said: “We have met so many people in the high street who have told us how sad they are for us, and we are grateful to all those who have brought flowers and offered their condolences.

“Dad was popular in the area, but we didn’t realise just how popular he was.

“His death was one too many, so if we can save another life I think we should do try to do so.”

The grandfather of 16 used to walk a mile and a half from his home in Wanstead along the high street and across Christchurch Green twice a day.

Cllr Chris Cummins, of Snaresbrook ward, said: “We are very sad this has happened and offer our deepest condolences to the family.

“When I saw Mr Sharma’s photo with his hat on I recognised him straight away. He was very well known and liked in Wanstead – it’s a terribly sad loss.

“We need to address this safety issue with some urgency to see if there’s anything we can do to help his family at this difficult time.”

Cllr Cummins and his colleague Cllr Sue Nolan are arranging for a bench and tree memorial to be created somewhere along Mr Sharma’s walking route.

She said: “We have spoken to officers and hope the memorial will go ahead.

“The family are very concerned about the safety around the Grove Park junction, but it’s going to be difficult to know what to do because there is already a zebra crossing there.

“It’s an incredibly sad loss. Mr Sharma had lived in Wanstead for over 20 years, and every morning he was in the high street chatting to people – he was very friendly and his family are understandably absolutely devastated.”

Cllr Nolan added the family would be welcome to speak at Redbridge’s external scrutiny panel on July 18 where TFL representatives and officers could take their concerns on board.

Mr Sharma said the memorial would be a “fitting tribute” to his father and reiterated his request for any more witnesses who were in Wanstead High Street between 8.30 and 9am on the day of the crash.

The family has also put posters throughout the area thanking the community for their support and calling on any witnesses to come forward.

He added that he has written to Redbridge Council’s leader Cllr Jas Athwal, but not yet received a response.

He told the Guardian a meeting with officers is being set up and that extra time is being taken to make sure they get such an important issue right.

He said: "We can't control control the future but we can mitigate to the best of our ability.

"Officers will be reporting back to me as soon as possible and hopefully we can work to avert any other tragedy of this nature."

Any witnesses to the fatal crash can call police on 020 8597 4874.