Concerns have been raised over the safety of a pedestrian crossing in Gants Hill after a 10-year-old boy was hit by a car.
The child is in a stable condition in hospital after suffering serious leg and foot injuries in the collision outside Gants Hill Library, in Cranbrook Road, on Thursday.
Five years ago, traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing were installed on the road, where two primary schools are also located, due to fears over safety.
A year later, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, visited the area to mark the end of safety improvements to nearby Gants Hill Roundabout, which included new pedestrian crossings and walkways.
Former Redbridge Council leader Cllr Keith Prince, who represents Barkingside, said: “I have not heard of any accidents like that [happening here] for some time.
“The problem with Headley Approach is that Gants Hill gets very blocked up and some people use it as a route to go east to Romford.
“It is awful when this happens and my thoughts are with the child and their family.”
The London Ambulance Service was called to the scene at noon and paramedics treated the child before he was taken to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel.
Michael Green, 68, of Headley Drive, came across the scene when he left Gants Hill underground station.
He said: “The junction at Headley Approach is getting really bad and there have been quite a lot of incidents in the last year.
“Something needs to be done.”
Mr Green said he also had concerns about the traffic lights at the crossing, due to them going red when no pedestrians were there.
But a TFL spokesman said there have never been any errors with the lights.
A spokesman for Redbridge Council said the local authority is working with the police and TFL to establish the circumstances of the accident and whether further action is required.
Read more:
Child, 10, hit by car outside Gants Hill Library now in stable condition
Boy, 10, suffers serious leg injuries after being hit by car in Gants Hill
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