A bereaved husband's petition to improve road safety in Victoria has been signed by nearly 1,500 people, after his wife was hit by a coach.

Leo Iravanian of Upper Berkeley Street, Marylebone, said his 'life has been ruined' by the death of his wife Iveta at the pedestrian crossing at the junction of Grosvenor Gardens and Hobart Place last year.

"We were very close and it has been very difficult," he said. "Now I'm campaigning to make all crossings safer."

Mr Iravanian explained that his petition aims to ensure that pedestrian crossings are upkept and work safely.

He spoke to our reporter after an inquest into Mrs Iravanian's death was held before a jury last Wednesday.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard that the traffic lights at the junction had rotated on their pole, which they are designed to do for safety if struck by a high-sided vehicle.

This meant that the green light for oncoming traffic was visible to pedestrians who might think it was a green man.

The jury was told to consider whether this could have been relevant to Mrs Iravanian's death and whether the timings of the lights - which meant pedestrians could have just five seconds to cross - could be a factor.

The jury's narrative verdict was that the traffic lights were not responsible for the 33-year-old woman's death.

But the court heard that after the law student died of multiple trauma on February 23 last year, Transport for London (TfL) is considering redesigning the crossing.

Mr Iravanian added that the verdict 'was wrong'.

A TfL spokesperson said: "Our sympathies remain with the family of Mrs Iravanian for their tragic loss. We are pleased that case has now been concluded."
See www.ipetitions.com/petition/dangercrossing to sign Mr Iravanian‹s petition.