Campaigning residents in Hanwell are urging neighbours to join them in their bid to stop a busy junction becoming a deathtrap.

Carolyn Brown, chair of Hanwell Steering Group, is imploring locals to write to the London Assembly and demand traffic calming measures at the junction of Uxbridge Road with Church Road and St George's Road in Hanwell.

She said: "We really want people to write to the assembly as I think it's only a matter of time until someone is killed at that junction; it's that dangerous.

"This is a major crossing point for students and pupils at Oaklands, St Marks, St Josephs and Hobbayne Primary Schools and Oaklands Nursery School, and for Drayton Manor and Elthorne Park High Schools. There are also a number of day nurseries close by, along with St Ann's School, a special school.

"As well as unaccompanied students, parents need to get across the road at this junction with pushchairs, toddlers, young children, and possibly wheelchairs."

She added that the junction, which is a busy bus route with heavy traffic, was also used by the congregation from nearby churches and shoppers.

"This junction is extraordinarily dangerous, and it is frankly shocking that there is not yet a pedestrian phase to the lights here.

"You feel that you take your life in your hands as you cross the road.

"There are many anecdotal reports of RTAs involving pedestrians at this junction, but unfortunately I do not have access to the statistics."

Ms Brown urged people to write to Valerie Shawcross, chair of the London Assembly transport committee.

Ms Shawcross said: "Clearly there's a lot of anxiety amongst pedestrians about safety issues along this busy red

"Given that the mayor seems to be in favour of a number of measures to enhance our streets for car users - by re-phasing traffic lights for example - I feel it is important to also make the mayor look at pedestrians' experience and make sure using the roads is safe and convenient for them too.

"I'll be collating all the results of a recent survey on roads in the area and asking TfL and the local councils, where relevant to take action on problem crossings." 

* People can sign a petition online at www.gopetition.com/petitions/traffic-lights-hanwell-w7.html .