The Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales has seen red over a decision by
Transport for London that could mean road chaos for West Ham United
fans travelling tonight (Friday) to the club's most important
game of the season against Sunderland
TfL have switched on new traffic signals on the major A13
highway at the junction of High Street South and Woolwich Manor Way
in East Ham.
Fans travelling on the A13 to tonight's game are advised to
leave extra time to complete their journeys to Upton Park.
Sir Robin is angry that the switch on has come just before thousands of supporters will be using the A13 to get to West Ham United's Boleyn Ground for tonight's important televised match with Football League Championship leaders Sunderland.
He said: "There has been no traffic signals at this junction for a considerable period of time and it has functioned better than it has ever done with no delays at any time of the day or any day of the week.
"This has particularly been evident when West Ham United are at home and all vehicles arrive for and leave after the match at the same time. I cannot understand why the switch on has come just before the busiest night of the season. This will cause major misery on roads right across Newham."
The Mayor has claimed it will cost very little for TfL to redesign the junction so it functions as a roundabout, which has been the case during lengthy major renovation works to the A13.
Newham police are backing Sir Robin's stance against the switch on. Borough Commander Chief Supt Mick Johnson said: "We are fully supportive of the Mayor's action. While there were no lights there was no increase in the number of accidents and the traffic seemed to run smoothly."