A proposed zebra crossing on Coombe Lane West has been scrapped due to significant safety concerns raised by the Metropolitan Police and local residents. The Place Committee of Kingston Council voted to uphold objections to the traffic management order for the crossing, which had been approved in June.
Updated advice from the police highlighted several safety issues. The Metropolitan Police identified concerns regarding vehicle manoeuvres into driveways within the zigzag markings. Specifically, they noted that stopping a vehicle within the zig zag controlled area has the potential to create intervisibility issues for pedestrians using the crossing. A stationary vehicle in this location could obstruct pedestrians' views of approaching traffic, increasing the risk of conflict and potential collisions.
This risk is further exacerbated if other vehicles were to overtake the stationary vehicle while approaching the crossing.
Furthermore, vehicles driving forwards into driveways would be required to reverse out onto the highway with severely restricted visibility, which again presents a collision risk for both motorists and pedestrians.
Local residents echoed these concerns, raising issues regarding the safety and legality of accessing private crossovers within the controlled area (zig-zags) of the proposed zebra crossing. They cited hazards due to poor visibility and the potential conflict risk when reversing into driveways.
The police also highlighted potential conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles, stating that A stationary vehicle in this location could obstruct pedestrians' views of approaching traffic, increasing the risk of conflict and potential collisions.
They also noted the risk of motorcycles filtering through the reduced road space and overtaking in the vicinity of the crossing.
While the original scheme was deemed legal, the committee decided against proceeding due to these safety concerns. Councillor Nicola Nardelli, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport, Waste and Recycling and Co-Chair of the Place Committee, stated that the police's advice had changed, leading to the decision. The police gave us one set of criteria that was going to be okay, and then June came along, and then it was a little bit murky, and then the July one came along, and it was looking like it was a no-go. So we've gone with the advice and for the safety,
she explained.
The committee has agreed to investigate an alternative location for a new zebra crossing in the vicinity of number 78 Coombe Lane West, subject to feasibility studies. Authority has been delegated to the Director of Highways, Transport and Regulatory Services to determine the future course of action in consultation with relevant stakeholders. These stakeholders include Chairs of the relevant Neighbourhood Committees, relevant Portfolio Holder and relevant Ward Members.
More information on Kingston and Sutton's highway strategies can be found in the Public reports pack for the Place Committee meeting on Wednesday 23 September 2026. The agenda frontsheet for the same meeting is also available.