OUTRAGED residents facing traffic chaos in Grove Park are demanding that Lewisham Council admits the "so-called" improvements are for a new housing development -- rather than their own safety. Grove Park Community Group and Lewisham Pensioners' Forum have expressed anger at the re-phasing of lights at the junction of Downham Way and Baring Road.

But the council insists the change will benefit public safety, following 13 accidents in one year and calls from the same residents' groups to improve matters. A spokesman said: "For several years residents have been asking for the lights to be changed. We have done so to give pedestrians more time and to cut down on the appalling injury rate."

He added that the new development on Baring Road would benefit very little from the new lights and increasing pedestrian safety was paramount. But community groups are insisting the council has favoured a 22-home development proposed for the area, particularly after developers paid several thousand pounds towards the cost of making the lights -- currently covered over -- fit for extra traffic when the development is complete.

Helen Pink, chairman of Grove Park Community Group, said: "If the council had not given permission for the development opposite Downham Way, they would not have needed to change the lights. We wanted lights to allow people to cross safely at the junction with Chinbrook Road instead of the resulting mayhem we have now."

Thomas Keely, of the pensioners' forum, added: "It's purely for the benefit of the houses. The council is pulling a fast one. It's just an excuse to say it's for the safety of pedestrians. The resulting chaos is diabolical and when the development is built will be even worse."

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