Neighbours warn of near collisions and injury at busy London intersection
Residents said a London, Ont. intersection is confusing, poorly designed and dangerous — and they want immediate action to fix it.
They are concerned about the intersection of Queens Avenue and English Street.
It has been recently redesigned to accommodate bicycle lanes, but since then, it has been the site of several collisions.
Neighbours invited CTV News London to witness what they have seen.
“This is a confusing intersection. There’s a lot happening here,” said Greg Gilles, who lives on the southwest corner.
In one hour, three examples of near collisions involving cars and one pedestrian who dodged traffic after being confused by the crossing were observed.
The intersection of Queens Avenue and English Street in London, Ont., as seen on June 9, 2023. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
CTV News cameras also captured a car turning northbound from English Street strike a bicycle lane median on Queens Avenue. Moments before, a truck did the same.
Judging by tire tracks on the newly installed concrete, it is far from the first time.
Earlier, as Gilles was pleading for the city to do something to improve the design immediately, another incident occurred as CTV News cameras were rolling.
“It’s residential, it’s different once you cross Adelaide [Street],” he explained. “And, we think that requires us, to have things specific to safety.”
As Gilles finished that statement, a car crept out from English Street into Queens Avenue. Moments later, an SUV sounded its horn to avoid a potential collision.
“It’s happening all the time,” bemoaned Gilles.
London police investigate a crash at Queens Avenue and English Street in London, Ont. on May 29, 2023. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)Evidence in CTV News London's archive supports his claim. At the end of last month, a person on a scooter was seriously hurt here, and Gilles said another crash occurred just days ago.
While the intersection is still awaiting some finishing touches from the city, including a bicycle traffic light, neighbours contend it will not be enough.
One of their areas of confusion is the crosswalk at the intersection. Gilles said its traffic light design needs to be modernized.
“That looks like a traffic light to me, not a crosswalk. There is no indication that is a crosswalk,” he said.
Another neighbour, Mike Robinson, wants the city to scrap the crosswalk and opt for traffic lights on all four corners.
“I know it’s the more expensive option, but it would be the more preferable option,” he said.
In the meantime, drivers who frequent the area are learning to be alert.
“You have to take it slow and keep looking both ways,” said one driver.
Neighbours who live near London, Ont.'s Queens Avenue and English Street say the newly redesigned intersection has turned out to be more dangerous than it was before. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)CTV News London has reached out to both the City of London and Ward 4 Coun. Susan Stevenson for comment, but have yet to hear back from Stevenson.
A city spokesperson stated managers, with knowledge of the intersection project, were not available to speak on camera Friday. Later, the spokesperson issued a statement pointing to the two projects recently completed in the area.
It continued, “The City of London is not aware of any specific concerns at the intersection of Queens Avenue and English Street.”
The neighbours however contend otherwise, and in the interim, they worry the window to prevent tragedy is closing.
“It’s a matter of time before a kid gets hit in this intersection,” concluded Robinson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.