On Friday, David Lammy joined local campaigners from Downhills Action Group to campaign for a new safer crossing on Downhills Park Road at the Keston Road Gate.

Already the Action Group - co-ordinated by local mum Sue Jameson - has collected a petition with over 1000 signatures, including the heads of Belmont Infant School, Downhills School, St Mary’s Infants and Juniors School, Park View Academy as well as Broadwater Farm and Downhills Children’s Centres.

David met with the group after being contacted by Sue and attending a meeting with the Bruce Grove Residents Network. He listened to their concerns before signing the petition to add his support to the campaign.

David commented:

“I would like to thank Sue and all those who have supported this campaign for the hard work they have put into this petition. I am really proud to sign up today and put my full support behind this campaign.

“Growing up on nearby Dongola Road I used to come to Downhills Park almost every day and even back then people were calling for a safer crossing. Fast forward nearly thirty years and as a dad, I know how important it is to ensure that our roads are as safe as they can be for our children and young people.

“I hope that working together as a community we can final crack this problem for future generations using Downhills Park. I will be writing to the Council asking them to move swiftly on this issue”

Concerns about Downhills Park Road have already been raised on Park View Academy’s travel plan and the Chair of West Green Playgroup and Bruce Grove Residents Network have written to the Council outlining their concerns and the Friends of Downhills Park have pointed out the need for a safe crossing.

Sue Jameson a local resident from the campaign said:

“Over the past five weeks we have seen a ground swell of support from across the community in favour of this scheme. Young and old have signed the petition and the backing of local schools, playgroups and community groups really show the local passion to make this road safer for everyone.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved and those still signing up. We all know it may take some time to finally get the crossing we all want to see, but I hope that in the mean time we can see real steps to make this road safer.”