A resident campaign has convinced Waltham Forest Council to improve a busy pedestrian crossing in Walthamstow.

More than 400 people signed a petition by local mum Angela McDermott arguing the crossing in Brettenham Road, near the Lloyd Park exit, is unsafe.

The crossing is near a number of schools, nurseries and childminders, meaning it is frequently used by parents with young children.

Angela told the Echo: “It’s my responsibility to teach my toddler to cross safely but I believe that the council has a responsibility to make roads and crossings as safe as possible. 

“This crossing is used by thousands of people every week… [but] there is little to indicate pedestrians crossing there at all, making it very dangerous. Signage, visibility for drivers and traffic calming measures are woefully inadequate. 

“Having had an email exchange with council leader Grace Williams, I know that there is some funding available for highways and transport improvements in the Lloyd Park and Higham Hill area this financial year. I believe, therefore, that we have a real opportunity to get some of it allocated to improving this crossing.”

When contacted for comment, deputy leader Clyde Loakes said the council is now “reviewing short-term and long-term measures” to make the crossing safer.

He said: “[These include] making it more prominent to drivers by changing the surface to include paving and a series of road markings at the crossing point to encourage safer and more considerate driving. We hope to have these in place ahead of school reopening in September. 

“Thank you to all the local people who have been speaking to Chapel End councillors and council officers to help improve safety at this crossing. 

“In the longer-term, we are also reviewing the wider Higham Hill and Lloyds Park area with local councillors and local residents’ groups to find ways we can reduce traffic levels, especially non-local through traffic, as part of our hugely successful and highly regarded Enjoy Programme.

We plan to start to speak with the local community about our emerging ideas and plans this coming autumn.”