The News Shopper has reported on five different crashes in Rochester Way in Eltham between March and October this year – with one resulting in a fatality. 

But a spokesperson for Greenwich Council has said no “specific issues” have been identified that may have contributed to the incidents this year. 

In August 2020, a petition calling on Greenwich Council to consider barriers for pedestrians’ safety and the installation of speed cameras in Rochester Way was launched.​

There has been an average of one to two major crashes a month since October 2019 which has resulted in a fatality, according to the petition. 

The petition reads: "Clearly there’s something significantly wrong with the layout of this junction. 

"The speed restrictions are clearly not been obeyed. 

"The residents are demanding an improvement to the safety of this junction."

A spokesperson for Greenwich Council said it is aware of road safety concerns on Rochester Way and that it is “committed” to the Vision Zero strategy.  

Vision Zero was set up by Transport for London and Metropolitan Police to help eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from road collisions. 

The council is working "closely" with the police and if an investigation indicates that immediate changes to the road are needed then it will make "every effort" to fund them. 

MP for Eltham, Clive Efford said after the fatality on Rochester Way, he raised “urgent” concerns with TfL, Metropolitan Police, and Greenwich Council.

Clive said he supported residents after they called for speed cameras to be installed on the road.

The decision for enforcing speeding limits is also decided by the Metropolitan Police, according to Greenwich Council spokesperson. 

Following the launch of the petition in 2020, a speed limit of 30mph was introduced on between Crookston Road and Riefield Road near Rochester Way.  

Greenwich Council is now assessing all potential road safety schemes across the borough to put into effect next year.  

Clive said he has “secured a commitment” from the council to review incidents on the road when considering the potential schemes.

We have contacted Metropolitan Police and Transport for London for a comment. 

The crashes between March and October this year in Rochester Way that the News Shopper is aware of:

March 2, 2022 at 6.35am

A motorcyclist died after a crash with a van.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. 

June 18, 2022 at 3.30pm

A motorcyclist was injured after a crash with a car. 

The motorcyclist’s injuries were believed not to be life-threatening.

July 11, 2022 at 3.40pm

A cyclist was taken to hospital after a crash with a car. 

The cyclist's injuries were believed not to be life-threatening.

September 29, 2022 at 3.40pm

An 11-year-old girl was taken to hospital after a crash with a car. 

The girl was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

October 7, 2022 at 7.40pm

A person was treated by ambulance crews after a crash. 

The person was assessed at the scene and then discharged. 

The full statement from Greenwich Council said: “The Royal Borough of Greenwich is committed to Vision Zero: for all deaths and serious injuries from road collisions to be eliminated from our streets. 

"The safety of our residents is always a priority to us.  

“We are aware that local people are concerned about road safety around Rochester Way.  

“Following a petition in 2020 we reduced the speed limit on the section of road between Crookston Road and Riefield Road to 30mph.  

"The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is responsible for enforcing speed limits.  

“We work closely with the Police and if an investigation indicates that immediate changes to the road are needed then we will make every effort to fund them – it has not identified any specific issues that may have contributed to the crashes in Rochester Way this year.  

"As well as working with the Police, we are assessing all the potential road safety schemes across the whole borough to prioritise which ones to take forward next year.  

“This decision will be made after our new Transport Strategy is considered for adoption next month." 

Clive Efford said: “I have been raising concerns about the speed of traffic and the number of resulting collisions we've seen on the Rochester Way for many years.

“Following discussions with the Council earlier this year I have secured a commitment from them to review incidents on this road when considering potential schemes to improve road safety in their 2023/24 collision-reduction programme.'

The full statement from Clive Efford’s team said: “We have received correspondence on this issue for a number of years from constituents and have been consistently raising their concerns with Transport for London and Royal Borough of Greenwich Council.

“After the fatality this year Clive raised urgent queries and was promised that TfL, the Council and the Police would be investigating the issue.

“Back in 2012 Clive supported residents' calls for speed cameras which were then installed on part of the Rochester Way.”

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