Kingston Council seeks £100k for Fountain Roundabout safety plans

Kingston Council is preparing to request a further £100,000 to design new safety proposals for the Fountain Roundabout in New Malden. This comes after earlier redesign concepts did not receive backing from Transport for London (TfL). Residents have expressed concerns about the ongoing expenditure on studies rather than immediate action.

Previous proposals rejected

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A recent council report indicated that TfL is unlikely to provide funding for either a proposed Dutch-style redesign, which prioritises pedestrians and cyclists, or for minimal crossing enhancements on the western arm of the roundabout. The Dutch-style option was deemed potentially disruptive to bus services, while the minimal changes were assessed as offering only limited safety improvements. The report concluded that the junction's safety issues remain unresolved, necessitating further investigation.

Resident concerns over cost and process

During a meeting of the New and Old Malden neighbourhood committee on November 5, residents voiced their dissatisfaction with the council's approach. They argued that the roundabout's structure is not the primary cause of issues and that more money should not be spent on investigating options. The committee was informed that 27 collisions occurred at the roundabout between July 2023 and June 2026. Resident Julian McCarthy described the situation as "ludicrous, frustrating and irritating," highlighting the significant time and money spent on investigations without a dedicated public consultation meeting. He suggested that problems stem from traffic blockages after the roundabout and drivers ignoring signage, not the roundabout itself. Lindsey Martin questioned the necessity of upheaval and cost for a junction that she believes does not require fixing.

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The council had previously agreed to spend £100,000 in 2023 on reviewing the junction due to concerns about its layout, vehicle speeds, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and visibility. Proposals to remove the roundabout were withdrawn in January following resident opposition, leading to the modelling of the Dutch-style and minimal change options.

Call for immediate action

Independent councillors Yvonne Tracey and James Giles expressed strong disapproval of the council's continued exploration of options. Councillor Tracey noted the roundabout has been a subject of discussion for over 20 years. Councillor Giles labelled the request for another £100,000 to "identify yet more options" as "scandalous," stating that residents know what they want. He urged the council to abandon the pursuit of TfL funding if unavailable and move forward, rather than waste taxpayer money on further studies.

The neighbourhood committee recommended that the council use its own funds to install a zebra crossing on the Kingston Road arm of the roundabout. A final decision on this recommendation will be made by Kingston's place committee at a future meeting.