SAFETY campaigners who have fought for a crossing to be installed at a dangerous junction have been told the project has been scrapped.

Parents and people living near the crossroads of Manor Road, Tomswood Road and Turpin’s Lane in Chigwell, where there have been seven accidents since 2010, have been pushing for a crossing there for the past three years.

But at the most recent meeting of Epping Forest District Council’s local highways panel, members decided to drop the idea of a crossing in favour of adding traffic islands, moving ‘give way’ signs and cutting back leaves, which they set aside £30,000 for.

Eddie Bow, chairman of the Chigwell Residents’ Association, said: “There should be some form of pedestrian crossing, pelican or similar, that will help children and residents.

“It’s a major crossing point for both primary and secondary school children, who have to go through rush-hour London traffic.

“We’re really disgusted no action has been taken. I think the money could have been found over three years.”

Epping Forest District Councillor Lesley Wagland, who has campaigned for a crossing at the junction, said: “Anything that would help would be an advantage.

“I go there in the morning and find mums with small children lined up, edging out.”

Essex County Councillor for Chigwell, John Knapman, who sits on the panel, said: “Islands mean there is effectively a refuge in the middle of the road.

“At the moment, especially when children go to West Hatch High School at peak times, they can be standing in the middle of the road, which is not what we want.”

He said residents had asked for traffic islands five years ago, before road experts suggested a £179,000 traffic light-controlled crossing was installed.

“Bearing in mind we’ve been waiting and waiting and something needs doing, that’s affordable and what we asked for in the first place,” he added.

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