A skip hire lorry driver has been released on bail following the death of a cyclist in Southwark. The driver was arrested for causing death by dangerous driving and is due to appear at a South London police station in June.
The tragedy occurred at a dangerous junction in Bermondsey. The victim, 33 year old mother and hospital finance worker, Nga Diep, was allegedly pinned to railings at the side of the road by the speeding lorry, although an official statement is yet to be released.
A local cyclists lobby group, Southwark Cyclists, have been campaigning in regard to the use of railings in such areas as they have already proven dangerous for cyclists. The group's chair, Barry Mason, was reported as saying:
“Ilderton Road and the area is notorious for speeding lorries and this junction is much too fast. Our questions to Southwark Council about why similar new railings are going in on Southwark Park Road, Grange Road and Long Lane as those on Walworth Road come out have never been answered. It's too early yet to know what really happened last Tuesday morning, but we'll ask Southwark for a full review of this dreadful incident and that junction. Of course all our thoughts go to Nga's family, friends and colleagues.”
Local MP Simon Hughes has recently called for an investigation into the junction and a council spokesperson responded with: “The incident is currently being investigated by the police. Following this the council will conduct an investigation into the incident.”
This issue obviously needs tackling soon for the safety of local cyclists and any lorry drivers who use this busy route.
