Residents’ fury as child hospitalised in crash on Streatham’s ‘most dangerous road’

A 12 year old child was hospitalised with serious injuries on Thursday evening after being hit by a motorist on a pavement in Streatham.

The boy – who was walking home from school on Valley Road in Streatham Wells – was rushed to hospital on 13th March 2025 after the horror crash which caused police to close the road.

Valley Road has been dubbed “Streatham’s most dangerous road” by residents after Lambeth Council cancelled a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) at the request of London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, and removed traffic calming measures.

Local MP Steve Reed visited the area on Friday and urged the Metropolitan Police to install speed cameras to prevent dangerous driving on Valley Road.

The 12 year old boy was hit on the pavement by a speeding moped rider who was alleged by locals to be fleeing from the police.

The collision comes after the removal of the LTN in 2024, a move residents say has drastically increased motor traffic, worsened road safety and led to significant noise, congestion and dangerous driving.

Resident Mel Sarr said:

“The last few months have been horrific around here. The area is horrible.

I was run off the road at the mini roundabout in January by a driver when I was cycling to Streatham and I’ve now got scarring on my right shin. I think it’s the most dangerous road in Streatham.”

Katie who lives in the area said “what’s happening is appalling. It’s scary that all the traffic issues and collisions have just become ‘business as usual’ on Valley Road.”

Valley Road, which connects Leigham Court Road and Streatham Common, has been hotspot for crashes and dangerous driving in recent years.

An estimated 10,000 vehicles use the narrow residential road each day, with residents complaining of pollution, drivers beeping horns and buses getting stuck.

The speed limit is 20 mph yet residents claim some drivers regularly exceed 40 mph on a stretch which includes Sunnyhill Primary, where over 400 children go to school.

Residents have collected a shocking dossier of photos and videos showing scores of serious crashes and dangerous driving over the past seven years.

The images include SUVs impaled on bollards, garden walls and fences destroyed, a car driven through two front gardens into the front of a house, destroying the living room, motorists driving on the pavement and regular collisions on a mini roundabout connecting Valley Road and Gleneldon Road.

One video shows a motorbike rider speeding along the pavement as a resident leaps out of the way.

Resident Alex Yedigaroff said:

“We feel completely abandoned. It’s like living in a pinball machine around here. It isn’t even safe for our children to use the pavements around their homes and since the LTN was ripped out it just seems like the authorities don’t care.

The latest news we heard is that the council are taking away seating and planting which will just mean even less protection.”

On the day prior to the crash Lambeth Council announced they would remove planters and parklets from Valley Road which were installed as part of the LTN. Residents believe the parklets help slow traffic and say their removal will lead to even greater speeding by drivers.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed – who is Labour MP for Streatham and Croydon North – visited the area on Friday and posted a video on Facebook saying police should install enforcement cameras on Valley Road. “I’ve had a lot people contacting me raising concerns about reckless and dangerous driving on this road.”

Mr Reed acknowledged the injured child and said “they’re going to be ok but we need to take action to stop drivers careering down this road putting people in danger. I’m calling on the police to put in speed cameras so we can monitor dangerous drivers and stop them.”

In an email to a resident, Mr Reed said “I find what has happened distressing and my thoughts are with all those affected. Local residents on Valley Road should feel safe going about their day to day life. I have commissioned a survey to find out what changes residents would like to see to improve safety on their road.”

Safety is not the only issue in the area. Fiona, who lives by Valley Road, detailed the oppressive noise pollution from heavy traffic which has returned since the removal of the LTN.

“My wellbeing is suffering incredibly. Our windows don’t filter out any of the noise. I’m sensitised to every sound outside. I work fully remote which obviously exacerbates things.

Drivers think it’s ok to honk their horns at all times of the day, including at the scene of this accident. Where’s the compassion? Sadly, I think the only real solution is to move.”

The Streatham Wells low traffic neighbourhood was paused in 2024 after heavy traffic generated by gas repair works on roads around Streatham.

Lambeth Council and Transport for London agreed to suspend the LTN until cycle improvements had been constructed on Streatham High Road. The works are yet to begin.

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