Locals sign petition asking council to slow down traffic at "dangerous" roundabout where "cyclists nearly die every day"

Residents of a South London neighbourhood have raised concerns about cyclists narrowly avoiding being killed at a "dangerous" mini-roundabout, and have signed a petition asking the council to implement measures that will slow down traffic and not just avoid crashes for cyclists but also for pedestrians.

The roundabout in question is located on the junction of Garratt Lane and Summerstown, between Earlsfield and Tooting in Wandsworth. Locals from the area are also concerned about the rising road rage incidents due to motorists' behaviour.

William Lausi, who's worked at a restaurant facing the mini-roundabout for eight years, and has lived in the area for 22 years, said that the junction is "dangerous" as motorists "cut through" by driving over, instead of around, the mini-roundabout. He said: "Every day people nearly die on bikes because drivers cut inside. They don’t go all the way round."

Lausi suggested the mini-roundabout should be raised, or even have a flowerpot placed at its centre, to prevent accidents by forcing drivers to go around it, reports MyLondon.

He added: “I always dream that one day I’m going to have a bus or big lorry straight through here because they’re crazy.”

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The petition said that drivers often speed down Summerstown, while a "blind bend" where it meets Riverside Road means residents "do not feel safe".

Although it adds a collision has not been reported in the road, it warns residents "strongly believe that waiting for a collision to happen is not the right way to approach this issue".

The petition also mentioned that the number of people walking in the area has "increased dramatically" since AFC Wimbledon's Cherry Red Records Stadium opened nearby on Plough Lane in the Merton borough, surrounded by more than 600 new homes. Wandsworth Council objected to the development, over concerns about its impact on the area, but it was approved by the Merton Council in 2015.

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A Wandsworth Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of some concerns about this junction having recently met with local residents and we are undertaking a traffic study in the immediate area that will seek to further investigate and review the concerns expressed to us. This is in addition to an ongoing study in Garratt Lane which could also lead to further measures to improve road safety in this part of the borough."