‘They fly by here like mad, and there’s no one to check them’: Western Road crash alarms residents

Residents raise safety concerns following another crash on Western Road. CTV London’s Sean Irvine reports.

Those living along a winding section of Western Road in London believe it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

The stretch was the scene of another overnight collision that knocked out a hydro pole.

On Friday morning, the pole was leaning with support of a crane north of Oxford Street and the CKPC rail overpass.

London police say the vehicle struck the pole, sending it tumbling. An investigation into the cause is underway. No one was injured.

But many residents and university students living nearby tell CTV News they fear it will not be long before somebody is hurt or killed. They say speed is often a factor.

“Oh, they fly by here like mad, and there’s no one to check them!” exclaimed one resident.

“Cars are always crashing into these houses. The telephone pole. I mean, it happens all the time,” added Aimee Doucette, who lives nearby.

Western student Lucas Eagleson added Doucette’s claim is not an exaggeration, “Around three weeks ago, around the same time, around 4 a.m., there was another car crash. And probably five meters from that proximity.”

Along with speed, residents say the bend in the road is difficult for some drivers.

Fearful that it is only a matter of time, at least one resident has placed concrete blocks in front of his home, metres from the most recent crash site.

A few metres south, hundreds of students wait for LTC buses along the curved section daily.

“People tend to not really look out for the pedestrians on the road here,” said Eagleson. “So, especially with all the Western students, they’ve got to be extra careful.”

A crosswalk has improved safety, but some argue it has also created a new risk.

“That crosswalk is incredibly unsafe. Doesn’t matter that the light is flashing, and if that’s a red light. They’ll make a turn. They’ll cut you off!” said a man living nearby.

Doucette stated the city recently added additional signage, which has failed to help.

Meanwhile, Eagleson concedes additional safety measures or an enhanced police presence will do little to improve the mindset of some motorists.

“You know, a lot of drivers like to drive recklessly when no one’s out,” he said.

Several residents stated they intended to take their concerns to city hall officials.