Residents of a cul-de-sac in South Wimbledon express daily fears as they navigate a junction they describe as perilous, which has become notorious for reckless driving and frequent accidents. A recent incident at this junction resulted in a resident suffering a broken arm, prompting claims that Merton Council has neglected safety issues for years. Although the council has now agreed to consider potential safety enhancements, there is currently no definitive timeline for implementation or details on the proposed changes.
Mike Circelli, a long-time advocate for safety improvements, voiced his frustrations, stating, „My family were involved in a serious accident — they could have been killed. Does someone need to die before the council does anything about it?“ The Path, a cul-de-sac consisting of 11 homes near South Wimbledon station, faces significant dangers due to the junction’s design, which opens directly onto the busy four-lane Morden Road. Residents report that the inside lane towards South Wimbledon offers limited visibility for vehicles exiting The Path and the adjacent Nelson Trading Estate, which share the same access point.
Residents Demand Action on Safety Concerns
Local residents assert that the design encourages drivers to accelerate through the box junction to reach the traffic lights ahead, often without noticing vehicles attempting to enter the road. Anna Circelli, Mike’s wife, recently sustained a broken arm and whiplash in a collision at the junction. While she considers herself fortunate to have avoided more severe injuries, she now faces an extended absence from her job as a hairdresser. Mike explained, „It’s the outside lane — you can’t see them coming, and they can’t see you trying to get out. They just zoom down to get to that one space. That’s how these accidents are happening.“
During a recent visit, debris from a prior accident was still visible at the junction, and several vehicles were observed exceeding the 20 mph speed limit. At one point, a reporter had to step back to avoid a heavy goods vehicle that mounted the curb while attempting a three-point turn, an occurrence residents claim is common. Eda Saliholu, a learner driver and resident, highlighted the challenges she faces when trying to exit her road to reach the Morden test center, stating, „Every time my instructor picks me up, I have to turn right, and this junction is the most dangerous part of the whole lesson. When we get there, my instructor has to take over because I can’t get out of my own street. I start on a bad foot — it’s daunting.“
Longstanding Safety Issues Ignored
The presence of regular commercial traffic entering the trading estate exacerbates the already intimidating nature of the junction, according to Saliholu. Derek Manning, a resident since the 1990s, remarked on the changes he has witnessed over the years, noting that Morden Road was once a two-lane highway. He expressed concern for the safety of road users, stating, „London has got busier, we all know that. But if traffic increases, you have to put measures in place to keep it as safe as it was before.“ Residents argue that the box junction, intended to enhance safety and facilitate traffic flow, is frequently disregarded, with drivers often stopping in the yellow box when their exit is not clear.
Despite raising their concerns with Merton Council, residents feel that little has been done to improve safety. Mike stated, „The council have known about the safety risks for many, many years. It’s so dangerous every single day, and they have just ignored it.“ Local Liberal Democrat Councillor John Braithwaite has also urged the council to take action, suggesting several short-term solutions, including extending the box junction and repainting the cycle crossing to prevent vehicles from obstructing it. However, he noted that the council has been slow to respond, insisting that a traffic officer must first assess the road — a measure residents have also requested.
Calls for Urgent Changes
MP Paul Kohler has joined the call for Merton to address the situation, stating that the council has confirmed plans for urgent changes following requests to investigate collisions at the junction. He emphasized the need for a clear timeline for implementation, saying, „I have written to Merton to ensure there is no further delay and a clear timetable for delivery.“ The anticipated changes are expected to occur this year after the council secured funding from Transport for London to review traffic and safety at the junction of The Path and Morden Road. However, the council has reportedly ruled out extending the yellow box markings, citing potential conflicts with traffic signal design standards and the operation of the stop line.
A spokesperson for Merton Council stated, „Road safety is a top priority for Merton Council, and we take any situation where pedestrians and other road users could be put at risk very seriously. When residents or road users raise safety concerns, we always investigate and make safety improvements where possible.“
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Marcel Strauß auf Unsplash
