A COMMUNITY is taking on the authorities to improve road safety and pollution levels at notorious roundabout after a woman was killed there.

Residents and local politicians in South Woodford have been campaigning for safer road crossings and anti-pollution measures at Charlie Brown’s Roundabout for over two decades.

Last week Deputy Mayor for Transport Valerie Shawcross assured Redbridge Council leader Jas Athwal work will start on new pedestrian crossings for the roundabout in 2018, with feasibility work completed by March.

But after safety plans for the roundabout were dropped by the former London Mayor Boris Johnson in 2008, Transport for London (TFL)’s recent promise has been met with caution by campaigners.

Mother-of-three Eleanor Glover is determined to keep the pressure on after a 35-year-old woman was hit by a lorry and killed at the roundabout in November.

Ms Glover, of Crescent Road, South Woodford, said: “The death of that woman has really affected our community.

“It has really upset a lot of people, because we know full well it could have been any one of us.

“If the roundabout is safer more people would leave their cars at home and walk, which would also help tackle pollution.

“But because the pollution is so bad people are too afraid of what walking might do to their health.”

Her neighbour Annie Watson added: “I walked passed just after that terrible accident happened, and you can see how much it’s worried everyone.

"It's so dangerous that people weren’t actually surprised when it happened - they just want something done."

Michelle Carr, of Diana Close, is worried about her son, who will have to cross the roundabout unaccompanied when he starts at Woodbridge High School next year.

She said: “I’m absolutely dreading when he has to start crossing those roads.

“There’s every chance they’ll be another death between now and when they put the crossings in.

“They should be doing something now.”

Local politicians in the area are urging TfL to consider temporary safety measures to make sure there are no more tragedies between now and 2018.

MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting said: “It’s great the Charlie Brown’s scheme is in the TfL business plan, but I don’t think we can afford to be complacent.

“We want to keep the pressure on to make sure what they’re promising does actually happen.

“I would like to see temporary measures put in place in the meantime, because two years is a long time to wait.”

Members of the Maybank Community Association have also backed calls to introduce temporary signalling.

Councillors for Roding Gwyneth Deakins and Lloyd Duddridge have said they will not stop fighting for a safer Charlie Brown’s Roundabout until it is safer and less polluted.

Cllr Duddridge said: “The battle isn’t won until we press the button on those crossings.

“This is a fight we cannot afford to lose.

“The safety and pollution problems are completely interlinked, so we need to get both sorted as soon as possible.”

Cllr Deakins also called on Redbridge Council to do more to tackle the “dangerous” pollution levels.

She said: “The council needs to get on with their air quality action plan fast, because the burden this will have on the NHS is unbelievable.

“Things like green walls, bigger barriers and tree planting are all things they can be doing.

“With EU pollution limits on their way out, we desperately need to act now.”

TfL's head of sponsorship and road space management said: “We are currently undertaking design work for improved crossing facilities at Charlie Brown’s roundabout.

"We are due to consult on our plans in the summer and we will listen carefully to the feedback we receive before construction begins next year.”