THE father of a 16-year-old killed in a road where safety measures are being introduced has doubts they will work.

Safety measures for Elmstead Lane, Chislehurst, which has claimed the lives of two youngsters, have been approved by Bromley Council.

And Roger Ludlow, whose son Alex was fatally hit in the road outside his home on September 22 last year, believes the wrong measures are being brought in.

The £100,000 safety improvements to the one-mile 30mph stretch include mini roundabouts, crossings, warnings signs and road markings.

In April the Ludlows led a march of 300 people down the road to campaign for road safety measures to be brought in.

Mr Ludlow says he would have preferred a pedestrian crossing or speed humps, but the council considers them unsuitable because the road is a bus route.

The 48-year-old said: “From our point of view it’s not quite what we had in mind.

“I’m grateful something is being done but I have my doubts the measures are going to improve safety.

“I don't think the argument the road is a bus route holds water, there are plenty of other places where speed humps work.”

Mr Ludlow, who has an eight-year-old daughter, said: “I consider it to be a dangerous road. There should be more safety for pedestrians.

“If we are considering putting in place safety measures then it's as a result of something."

On December 9 a blue Jaguar Coupe crashed into a lamppost in almost the same spot where Alex died.

The three people in the car escaped without injury but the lamppost was badly damaged.

He said: “Alex died and other people have been hit in the road.

“Let's hope someone else is saved by these measures.

“I don’t want someone else to have to suffer like we have.”

Elmstead Lane in Chislehurst has been the scene of 21 accidents in the three years to April last year.

In February 12-year-old Steven Jeacock died from head injuries nine days after he was hit by a car as he ran across the road to catch a bus.

Chairman of the Bromley Borough Roads Action Group Roger Lawson says the group has concerns about the proposed mini roundabout.

He said: “One resident lives immediately opposite and will have to back out onto the roundabout, which doesn’t seem sensible to us.

“There have been fatal accidents in Elmstead Lane and quite a number of serious and minor accidents.

“Obviously it’s important to do something and these measures will probably help.”

A comment from Bromley Council is expected shortly.