‘Risk of a tragedy’: Parents urge council to install safer crossing by north Islington playground

Thorpedale Road. Photograph: Marie Hamon-Smith

Parents are calling for a crossing to help children get to a north Islington playground more safely.

The group wants the council to consider putting in an elevated zebra crossing on Thorpedale Road and a dedicated crossing space for families using both entrances to the Wray Crescent playground.

Marie Hamon-Smith presented a petition to full council and said the crossing would help children and residents with disabilities. The crossing would be within one minute’s walk of three schools and a nursery.

“There are 1,200 children going to school within 0.3 miles of the park,” Hamon-Smith said.

She explained that the long road is used as a cut-through by traffic from Hanley and Hornsey roads and residents are worried about a serious accident.

Visibility is poor as families have to cross between parked cars and watch out for “fast-moving vehicles”, she added.

“Residents are keen to calm traffic on our residential road and to increase safety for our senior residents and our kids,” she said. “A crossing in the middle of the road could slow the traffic down.”

She continued: “The cost of adding an elevated crossing is definitively nothing compared to the risk of a tragic incident.”

Residents raised £1,500 for the Friends of Wray through events including three street parties on Thorpedale and Marriott roads and Corbyn Street in north Tollington.

Hamon-Smith said residents have built community spirit, with the ‘Friends of Wray’ organising yoga and tai-chi classes for free or for a donation. They also celebrate Halloween and ‘Happy Bee day’ for children.

There is also a women’s football team which encourages mothers to meet others and enjoy sport.

The residents successfully fought for Thorpedale Road to be designated as an Islington Play Street on the last Sunday of each month between April and October.

It means cars are closed to traffic, apart from residents’ vehicles, for up to three hours so children can play in the street.

It is one of more than 20 Play Streets given the go-ahead by Islington council.

The council has said it will respond to the petition.