Families protested at a "death trap" junction in Twickenham on Friday, 17 October to call for urgent safety improvements.

More than 2,500 residents signed a petition demanding Transport for London (TfL) take action at St Margaret's Roundabout on the A316, in Twickenham, to tackle "unacceptable danger" faced by schoolchildren, other pedestrians and cyclists, as they fear it's only a matter of time before someone is killed.

Protestors took to the streets with children shouting "keep us safe" on Friday morning, in a bid to push TfL to meet their demands.

They described unsafe conditions at all four crossings of the junction, where pedestrians are not given enough time to cross and must gather at the pedestrian islands.

This leaves them vulnerable to accidents, they said, particularly as they feel the barriers are inadequate.

Campaigners' key concern is the busy crossing outside St Stephen's C of E Primary School, where local mum Rosie Greaves and her three children were nearly killed in January 2024. The terrifying incident prompted mum-of-two, Laura Kerry, to launch a Change.org petition.

Laura Kerry at the protest at St Margarets Roundabout, Twickenham, on 17 October (Credit: Charlotte Lillywhite/LDRS)

Ms Kerry told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) many drivers are not aware of, or ignore, the 30mph speed limit which was introduced last year between St Margaret's Roundabout and Whitton Road Roundabout, down from 40mph.

Ms Kerry said: "None of us feel safe and it's completely wrong on our walk to school we don't feel safe. There's speeding traffic, there's traffic jumping the lights – the cars either don't know what the speed limit is or they're willingly breaking the speed limit."

She added: "Principally, it's about this crossing not being safe for schoolchildren crossing multiple times a day. They're often stuck in the middle, the barriers don't protect us. We feel very vulnerable and we need changes from TfL."

Elizabeth Bachour, head teacher of St Stephen's, also said: "For a significant amount of time, St Stephen's has been concerned about the crossing outside our school.

"There have been close-call incidents where individuals, including young children and parents, have narrowly avoided being struck by a vehicle. It is only a matter of time before a tragic accident occurs."

Campaigners want TfL to extend the 30mph speed limit at the junction, adjust traffic light phasing to give pedestrians and cyclists more time to cross safely and strengthen the barriers to protect them.

They are asking for better signs to help drivers pick the correct lane and warn them of the school.

The residents also want TfL to improve the safety of the pavement up to Twickenham Bridge which, they said, is dangerously narrow and forces pedestrians and cyclists into close proximity with fast traffic.

They are asking for separate pedestrian and cycle paths up to Whitton Road Roundabout.

Richmond Council Leader Gareth Roberts, Twickenham MP Munira Wilson and local councillors joined the protest, as they backed campaigners' calls for change.

Lib Dem councillor Roberts said TfL visited the area on Thursday (16 October) to speak to campaigners and pledged to investigate what it could do to make the junction safer, with monthly updates to be provided to councillors.

The protest at St Margarets Roundabout, Twickenham, on 17 October (Credit: Charlotte Lillywhite/LDRS)

Councillor Roberts said: "All we're asking, in the 21st century, is a safe way for children to get to school. This has taken such a long time, but we're here now and we're finally seeing progress.

"TfL are the slowest people in the world to take any action on anything but, thanks to [campaigners'] help, they're finally listening."

He added: "It is to be hoped that after years and years and years of asking for what, as I say, should be something which is a basic necessity and requirement, we will finally get a safe crossing here at St Margarets Roundabout."

A TfL spokesperson said: "We are working with Richmond to improve safety and have already made significant changes to improve safety in the area.

"These include traffic signal retiming at St Margarets Roundabout, speed limit reductions to the west of St Margarets Roundabout and significant safety improvements at the London Road junction with the A316.

"Keeping everyone travelling in the capital safely is our top priority and we're determined to ensure that changes to London's roads ensure safety is improved.

"Throughout the capital, we use a data-led approach to reducing danger and targeting investment in safety. We continue to monitor roads across the borough and regularly meet with local communities and their representatives to discuss proposed changes."