A Romford mother is calling for safety improvements to a road she claims is “dangerous” to cross. 

Park Lane, which runs from the A124 up to Brentwood Road, has limited crossings, with one either end and another around halfway up.

The location of several schools nearby, including Hylands Primary School, has led to concerns being raised about the safety of children crossing the road. 

Erin Hickman, who has two young children who both attend Hylands, said she has become increasingly worried about the risks posed. 

“It’s a pretty dangerous road to cross, even for adults,” she said. 

Erin claimed she had contacted the two ward councillors, Judith Holt (Con) and Jane Keane (Lab), though said little has been done to date. 

Romford Recorder: Erin Hickman and her daughterErin Hickman and her daughter (Image: Erin Hickman)

The Recorder approached the councillors, both of whom said they would support improving the safety of Park Lane. 

Cllr Holt said: “Regarding a crossing on Park Lane, I would support a proper zebra crossing on the road, perhaps by Park Lane Recreation Ground. I posted a letter to all Park Lane residents last year and of those who replied, all were supportive.  

“I understand a crossing was discussed some years ago but nothing came of it. A permanent crossing would be more effective in addressing safety issues for children along the road than a speed calming measure like a chicane.” 

Claiming that “cars do drive at speed in Park Lane”, Cllr Keane said she has been taking action including organising a petition for a chicane near Malvern Road. 

She added: “I am very open to an assisted crossing in Park Lane, but it is driver behaviour that needs to alter and this is achieved through enforcement, education and also removing more car journeys from the local road network." 

Cllr Keane said she has also advocated at a joint administration meeting, and written to the chief executive, on the need for an upgraded crossing as part of the 2023/24 budget. 

A Havering Council spokesperson said the funding for crossings comes from Transport for London (TfL), with any schemes put forward needing to meet certain criteria. 

“The funds tend to be only available for roads with high instances of road traffic injury and there are roads within the borough which have a higher level of persistent crashes which we will need to prioritise,” they said. 

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Penny Rees, TfL's head of healthy streets investment and delivery, said: "We are committed to our Vision Zero goal to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads.

"Havering Council is the highway authority for Park Lane, and through our borough funding process we encourage councils to develop safety improvements on local roads.

"We will discuss this location with Havering Council and work with officers to assess the safety risks raised by local parents.”