Results of Road Safety Survey in Homesdale Road

In June 2023, the Bromley Lib Dems commissioned a survey to listen to residents' concerns around road safety around a block of 4 roads in central Bromley - Homesdale Road, Siward Road, Gundulph Road and Godwin Road. The survey was initiated partly because of the high number of road accidents on Homesdale Road recently (16 since 2019 that involved emergency services, 7 in the last 6 months, and many many more where the emergency services were not called), and by the diligent reporting of speeding traffic along the raods that feed into Homesdale Road. The results have now been analysed and shared with local residents and formed the subject of an on site visit by the Bromley Council Officer who did an on site visit. There were some positive outcomes from the visit but the bulk of the requests from residents, including speed control, were declined.

Survey Results

A massive 44% of households in those streets took part, a resounding result, clearly showing how important this issue is to everyone who lives in the area. The results show general consensus about the danger of speed - 97% were worried about speed on their road, or a nearby road.  Of possible solutions the graphs shown above express the level of support for the different measures suggested as well as suggestions where people could write their own ideas.

Armed with these responses plus several other points made as comments on the survey, the Bromley Town team met with the Council Officer responsible for Road Safety.

Visit by Council Road Safety Officer

Spending two hours walking around the local area, the officer was interested to hear comments but sadly - but not unexpectedly - the response was to say no to almost everything, however some common ground was found.

The officer accepted that there was possibly a need for a safer pedestrian crossing on Homesdale Road, suggesting that the ideal location would be somewhere between the junctions with Gundulph Road and Mornington Avenue. To move forward with this, the Bromley Town team would need to carry out a pedestrian survey to prove the need for the crossing, followed by a formal survey carried out by council staff, and it is likely that this process will start in September.

In addition to this, the Officer agreed to get the SLOW sign on Homesdale Road between Godwin and Gundulph repainted, and agreed to do some more speed measurements on Homesdale Road, a process which would involve putting pairs of cables across the road. Residents also raised how they felt unsafe when walking under the railway bridge, and the officer shared sympathies, however this falls under the responsibility of Network Rail, with the council already requesting that they take action. Residents also raised concerns about the state of the Waldo Road Recycling Centre, and while this is not something that could have been raised during the meeting, the officer agreed to repaint the lines on the yellow box outside the recycling centre as they are currently very faint.

Unfortunately, there are many safety measures which the officer said were not possible due to council policy. For example, the council's policy is not to implement stronger speed enforcement, such as speed cameras or reducing the speed limit to 20mph in certain areas, even though these are the measures most widely supported by residents. Similarly, the officer refused to agree to new speed humps, a low traffic neighbourhood or making Godwin Road one-way, narrowing road entrances, or extending the yellow box junction, as these measures go against the views of the majority Conservative group.

In spite of the adament refusal of the officer to implement what otherwise would be popular safety changes, the Bromley Lib Dems remain committed to making the roads safer, and they continue to call for stronger protections for residents on the roads. We will continue to work with the local police who acknowledge that road safety and traffic speed is a major concern to local residents. We will also engage with TfL to see if there is any pressure they can bring to bear on Bromley Council. And we will continue to meet regularly with residents and take on board any new suggestions on how to make these dangerous roads safer.