Labour's justice spokesman has told how two tragedies on the roads in his south London constituency led him to campaign for greater safety measures for pedestrians.
Tooting MP Sadiq Khan said he felt he had to act after the deaths of Molly Tuckwell, 10, and John Chivers, 84: “The incidents really made me think.
“I am a father of two and I am terrified of my girls walking home alone in case something happens. Often, the people who design our pavements don’t think about crossings, railings or other safety measures. I want to urge influential people, like Transport for London, to take action.” Molly was knocked down in Dalebury Road in 2006. Her death led to a campaign to lower the speed limit in the street, backed by Mr Khan. Mr Chivers was hit by a bus in Mitcham Road in 2009 as he went to church.
Last Tuesday, Hane Haji Hussein, 11, died after being hit by a lorry in Atkins Road, Streatham Hill. Between 2009 and 2011 there were 175 pedestrian casualties aged under 15 in Wandsworth borough. Its road safety budget has fal-len more than £100,000 since 2010.
Mr Khan joined road safety charity Living Streets to raise awareness and promote National Walking Month.
