DRIVERS are celebrating ‘half a victory’ at a busy junction that straddles two local authority areas – after one council agreed to improve road safety on its side.
Beech Lane in Buckhurst Hill sits on the boundary between Redbridge and Epping Forest at the point where it joins the A104 Epping New Road.
The Guardian reported in February that drivers turning right out of Beech Lane into Redbridge were finding their vision obscured by cars parked in the road, where no restrictions were in place.
Now Redbridge Council has announced plans to install double yellow lines at each corner ‘following safety concerns/requests from residents’.
But Essex County Council has yet to take action on its half of the junction – despite complaints of cars parking on the pavement at the left turn into Epping Forest, forcing pedestrians into the busy main road.
Hilary Bloohn, of Lingrove Gardens, off Beech Lane, wrote to both councils last year asking for double yellow lines to be painted near the junction.
“I certainly hope that helped. We are absolutely delighted that something’s being done,” said the 70-year-old.
“I’ve lived here for 25 years, but traffic’s got heavier and heavier from the hospital across the road. It’s been a problem for a long time."
She said locals were still hopeful that Essex County Council would follow Redbridge’s example by introducing similar restrictions.
“It’s half a victory. But in a way it’s three quarters of a victory because that side is the worst."
Mrs Bloohn’s neighbour John Kyriakides, 65, was also happy improvements would be made – but said action was needed on both sides of the authority boundary.
“I have been here 30 years and it’s so dangerous out here at the moment as you come out of Beech Lane. It’s become a problem since Holly House Hospital expanded.”
A Redbridge Council spokesman said: “We will be implementing double yellow lines (normally 10 metres each corner of the junction) at Beech Lane j/w Epping New Road and extending the bus cage markings nearby.”
The Guardian has contacted Essex County Council and is awaiting a response.
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