Huge boost for road safety as TfL agrees to install new A10 speed cameras

The move comes just over a year after a young woman was killed on a pedestrian crossing in Edmonton, reports James Cracknell

Gina Sone-Demetrious meeting with TfL bosses last year (inset right) after her sister Laura (inset left) was killed on the A10

Gina Sone-Demetrious meeting with TfL and Enfield Council bosses last year (inset right) after her sister Laura (inset left) was killed on the A10

Road safety campaigners in Enfield are celebrating a huge victory after Transport for London (TfL) agreed to install new speed cameras on a section of the A10 where a young woman was killed last year. TfL announced the news this morning (Wednesday 26th) after years of campaigning locally to extend the average speed camera network along the southern section of the busy dual carriageway, which is notorious for dangerous driving. Laura Sone-Demetrious was killed on the A10 while using a pedestrian crossing with her dogs in January 2024 [1], with her sister Gina later launching a petition calling for a range of new safety measures, including new speed cameras.

TfL had originally installed average speed cameras on the A10 between the M25 and the Southbury Road junction in 2020, but did not extend this through Edmonton despite repeated calls to do so. Now, after coming under pressure from Gina and other local residents as well as London Assembly member Joanne McCartney, Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil, Bush Hill Park councillor James Hockney and Enfield North MP Feryal Clark, TfL has confirmed new cameras will be installed between Southbury Road and the A406 North Circular Road. McCartney, who helped arrange a meeting between Gina and TfL bosses last autumn [2], said: "The entire community will be breathing a huge sigh of relief from this decision.

For too long speeding has wreaked havoc for residents, from extreme noise levels to dangerous road crossings, the impact on the local community from those flouting the law has been immense.

"I am thankful to TfL for listening to residents and investing in these new measures, as well as for all those who have contributed to this campaign over the years. This decision brings us one step closer to actualising the mayor of London's 'Vision Zero' action plan to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries in London by 2041. "Enfield will be a safer borough as a result."

Gina launched her road safety petition last summer [3] just six months after her sister Laura, aged 28, was killed after being hit by a car. No-one has yet been charged in relation to Laura's death, although a 17-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. When launching the petition, Gina said the road was "really, really dangerous" and called on TfL to install average speed cameras as soon as possible.

Cllr Hockney has also spent many years calling for new cameras and submitted his own 2,000-strong petition [4] to London mayor Sadiq Khan a few weeks before Laura was killed. In response to today's news, the Conservative councillor said: "I am delighted that TfL and the mayor of London have finally listened to the community call for average speed cameras. "This is fantastic news - and a step that has been desperately needed for many years.

All the many years of hard work, including personally running two petitions, sending emails, making telephone calls and arranging two community meetings, has been worth it. "We still have many steps that the council and mayor need to take on the charter for action [5] - but this news is a huge step forward." The new average speed cameras will replace the 'spot speed' cameras that are already in place along the southern section of the A10, which TfL says will ensure a "more joined up enforcement approach" along both sections of the road.

Data shows that average speed cameras on the northern section, and high levels of enforcement, have been successful in reducing the number of collisions involving death and serious injury. Since the average-speed safety camera system was introduced in 2020, collisions involving death and serious injury have reduced by over half from seven (2019) to three (2021 and 2022). In 2023 and 2024 there have been no collisions involving death and serious injury north of Southbury Road.

TfL says it has also introduced new and enhanced lane markings, ensured all signals are clearly visible and that signal-controlled crossings on the corridor have "functioning tactile cones" and cut-back vegetation to allow for clearer footways. Lilli Matson, TfL's chief safety, health and environment officer, said: "We know that speeding is a major concern for people living by the A10. Working alongside the local borough and the Met, we are introducing a range of measures to tackle speeding, car meets, anti-social driving and racing at this location, including extending the existing average-speed safety camera system.

"Speed continues to be a factor in almost half of fatal collisions in London with devastating consequences for the families, friends and communities impacted by these tragic casualties. Breaking the speed limit is also illegal and dangerous and we are determined to ensure that roads are safe for everyone in Enfield." Today's news comes on top of progress made last year on tackling 'car meets' which are strongly linked to dangerous driving as well as noise pollution.

Since last December a court injunction [6] has given Enfield Council and Met Police officers more powers in dealing with such events across the borough. Council leader Ergin Erbil said: "We continue to work shoulder to shoulder with TfL and the Metropolitan Police to build a safer Enfield. "For years, speeding, noise, and dangerous driving along the A10 have made life difficult for our residents.

Last year, we took action by getting a court order to reduce antisocial driving and give the police more power to deal with car meets. This injunction has helped us take action against those committing antisocial behaviour in our borough. "We are delighted with the news that the average speed cameras on the A10 will be extended from Southbury Road through Edmonton to the A406 to help make the road safer.

This is something we've been pushing for. I'm grateful to the mayor, TfL, and the police for hearing our concerns and for taking action. "We're committed to keeping residents safe and fully support the new average speed cameras along the A10.

The new lane markings and clearer traffic signals will also help prevent accidents and save lives." Enfield North MP Feryal Clark added: "After more than a year of working with Enfield Council and the Met Police to crack down on reckless car meets on the A10, today's announcement is a major win for safer streets. "Expanding the speed camera system and ramping up safety measures sends a clear message: dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our community.

"This is a crucial step forward, and I fully support the multi-agency effort to make our roads safer and our neighbourhoods quieter."

Update (5pm):

Gina said: "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported my petition and dedicated their efforts to advancing road safety procedures. I am particularly appreciative of the collaboration and commitment demonstrated by TfL, mayor Sadiq Khan, and Enfield North MP Feryal Clark in their ongoing efforts to enhance the safety of our roads. "I would also like to say a special thank you to Joanne McCartney and Rosa Slater for all of their hard work in this matter and I hope all goes well in the future."

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References

^ in January 2024 (enfielddispatch.co.uk)
^ last autumn (enfielddispatch.co.uk)
^ last summer (enfielddispatch.co.uk)
^ 2,000-strong petition (enfielddispatch.co.uk)
^ charter for action (enfielddispatch.co.uk)
^ court injunction (enfielddispatch.co.uk)
^ More information on supporting us monthly or yearly (enfielddispatch.co.uk)
^ More Information about donations (enfielddispatch.co.uk)