'Slow down' alerts for Putney drivers

as 'slow your speed' signs are to be installed at opposite ends of Putney's Lower Richmond Road in a bid to reduce accidents in the area.

The road is the main east-west link from Putney to Barnes. Running from Putney Bridge to Putney Common it is a busy shopping street running through a predominantly residential area with 27 side roads.

The two electronic signs, which will flash a 'slow down' message when a driver breaches the speed limit, will be installed near the junction with Waterman Street and at the junction with Putney Common.

In the last three years there have been 43 accidents, resulting in 53 casualties of which five were serious. All but two occurred at a side road junction. More than half of the accidents (22) involved motor cycles while five were pedal cycles.

The police say that the main problems are drivers going too fast and making unsafe right turns. The electronic speed signs will flash a 'slow down' message when a driver breaches the speed limit.

Cabinet member for regeneration and transport Guy Senior said:

"This is a very busy main road. When people drive too fast they put other road users at risk - particularly local people using the shops. The high number of accidents involving motorcyclists is very worrying. We hope the new electronic alerts will remind drivers of the need to watch their speed."

The new safety measures, which include new 30mph road markings at the Putney Bridge end, will cost £14,000.

June 28, 2004