THE ISSUE: REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME PEDESTRIANS HAVE TO CROSS LONDON'S ROADS.

Earlier this summer I was watching the evening broadcast of the BBC London News and one of the stories really angered me and has prompted me to take action.

The piece marked the start of Mr Johnson's pilot scheme to introduce COUNTDOWN TIMERS on crossing at major junctions (this part I think is brilliant and neccessary). At the same time, however, he has chosen to shorten the length of time pedestrians have to get across. The rationale provided for the move is improvement of TRAFFIC FLOW as drivers will not have to wait as long at red lights (he used the word "crackers" to describe his own feelings on the matter). His office did research into the economic benefits to London if vehicles are able to move around London more quickly.
I am absolutely incensed by Boris' choice to prioritise vehicles (and money) over people. As someone with hemiplegia (and who experienced 14 weeks on crutches after breaking my hip last year) I already have to rush to cross before the green man's light goes out. If I have to hurry even faster I worry that I might fall or get hit by a driver. Did you know about these plans? Is there currently sufficient time for you to get across your local pedestrian crossings?

My campaign is grounded in the effects these changes have on the disabled community, but want to emphasise that elderly people, those who've had some some of injury and those walking with young children will also be hugely impacted by making pedestrian crossing times shorter.

I am very worried that unless we speak up now, this idea will be expanded all over London and possibly the country. Please write as I have done to the Mayor and to your local M.P. You can find his address and a template letter on my campaign page:

http://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/your-campaigns/road-safety

I've more video and still images which I'm happy to share if you'd like visuals to highlight the issue with your local media.

Please help me to tell Boris, 'Don't Cross Disabled People!'