Exhibition Road in South Kensington, London, the scene of a car accident last Saturday that resulted in 11 people being injured (Report, 9 October), was redeveloped several years ago at considerable expense to create a thoroughfare that could accommodate both motorists and pedestrians in some form of symbiotic relationship, where both could thrive in perfect harmony.
As a result the streetscape was designed to avoid the erection of unsightly barriers and instead the proximity between motorist and pedestrian was intended to promote a sense of inclusiveness where the motorist in particular was encouraged to pay extra heed to the safety of the pedestrians. A similar scheme was recently adopted in the town centre in Twickenham, west London.
Exhibition Road, following the extensive publicity the accident attracted, not least the emphasis placed on its popularity as a tourist destination, must now be vulnerable to a Westminster or London Bridge style attack. Barriers may be unsightly, but in today’s world are a price we have to pay to ensure our safety.
Peter James Michau
Esher, Surrey
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