Tuesday 9 February 2010

Lethal railings still there

SAFETY changes could be made to a junction that was the scene of a cyclist’s death under the wheels of a lorry. Brockley mum Nga Diep was killed in March, 2008, when a skip lorry pushed her into railings at the junction of Ilderton Road and Rotherhithe New Road, Rotherhithe.

After hitting the railings, the 33-year-old fell under the lorry’s back wheels and suffered massive head and chest injuries. She had been on her way to work at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Trust finance department in London Bridge. A coroner recorded a verdict of “accidental death” after the tragedy.

Campaigners Southwark Cyclists demanded Lib Dem/Tory-run Southwark council rip out the railings after Mrs Diep’s death. They said the railings posed a danger to other cyclists.

Group chairman Barry Mason said: “She got squashed against the railings and got killed there. I attended the inquest and we have been saying ever since the crash that these railings were unsafe and dangerous. People are cycling past these railings every day. We are seriously concerned. This was a terrible accident where this woman got killed on the railings.

“It’s been two years and the council is supposed to do something about it.”

On Monday, a consultation was launched to make changes to the busy junction.