Parents are celebrating following a successful campaign to prevent Transport for London (TfL) removing a safety rail outside a nursery school.

The pedestrian guardrail, located outside the Marmalade Cat School, in Clapham Common Northside, Battersea, prevents children from running out into the road.

Another guardrail in Clapham Common Westside, close to a children’s playground in the common, was also earmarked for removal.

Concerned parents ran a petition to keep the rails after TfL said they will be removing them as part of their plans to clear street furniture.

TfL is removing guardrails across the capital to make more street space, reduce overcrowding and improve conditions for cyclists.

The nursery  is located within the busy south circular where cars regularly switch lanes of traffic.

In an apparent u-turn after pressure from parents and the Wandsworth Guardian the transport body has backed down, confirming they will not be removing any guardrails in the area.

Maggie Curwen, parent of a three-year-old at the nursery, said: “I am obviously delighted common sense has prevailed but it baffles me it took a week and hundreds of emails to point out TfL should have known that these guard rails are vitally needed.”

Dana Skelley, director of roads at TfL, said: “A safety assessment concluded that while the majority of the guardrail should remain in place, a small amount had no clear safety benefit and should therefore be considered for removal.

"However, we have listened to the concerns of local residents and will now not remove any of the railings at this location.”

The nursery, which caters for 84 two to five-year-olds, originally campaigned for the railings to be installed two years ago.

 

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