Residents of a quiet cul-de-sac in South Wimbledon are living in daily fear, claiming that exiting their road has become a perilous undertaking due to a poorly designed junction that has turned into a hotspot for dangerous driving and repeated traffic accidents. The situation escalated earlier this month when a collision at the junction left local resident Anna Circelli with a broken arm and whiplash, highlighting what neighbours describe as years of ignored safety concerns by Merton Council.
A History of Hazard and Recent Injury
The Path, a small cul-de-sac of just 11 properties near South Wimbledon station, opens directly onto the busy four-lane Morden Road. Residents argue that the junction's design creates limited visibility for drivers emerging from The Path and the adjacent Nelson Trading Estate, which share the same access point. This lack of sightlines encourages motorists to accelerate through the box junction to reach traffic lights, often without noticing vehicles attempting to join the road.
Mike Circelli, who has campaigned alongside neighbours for years, told reporters: "My family were involved in a serious accident — they could have been killed. Does someone need to die before the council does anything about it?" His wife Anna, who sustained her injuries in the recent collision, now faces a prolonged absence from her work as a hairdresser, adding personal and financial strain to the physical trauma.
Daily Dangers and Learner Driver Distress
During a recent visit to the site, evidence of previous collisions remained visible with debris scattered across the junction. Observers noted several vehicles appearing to exceed the 20mph speed limit, while an HGV was seen mounting the kerb during a three-point turn—a regular occurrence according to locals. For resident Eda Saliholu, who is learning to drive, exiting The Path has become the most daunting part of her lessons.
"Every time my instructor picks me up, I have to turn right, and this junction is the most dangerous part of the whole lesson," she explained. "When we get there, my instructor has to take over because I can't get out of my own street. I start on a bad foot — it's daunting, especially with lorries coming through that can't see a small car."
Council Response and Political Pressure
Despite residents raising concerns with Merton Council for what they describe as "many, many years," tangible improvements have been slow to materialise. Local Liberal Democrat Councillor John Braithwaite has proposed several short-term solutions, including extending the box junction and repainting cycle crossings to prevent obstruction by vehicles. However, he claims the Labour-led council has been sluggish in responding, insisting that a traffic officer must first assess the road—a measure residents themselves have requested.
Wimbledon's Liberal Democrat MP Paul Kohler has also intervened, pressing the council to take action. Following calls for investigation into collisions at the junction, he confirmed that Merton Council has now agreed to implement urgent changes. "I have written to Merton to ensure there is no further delay and a clear timetable for delivery," he stated.
Funding Secured but Solutions Uncertain
The council has secured Transport for London funding to review traffic and safety at The Path's junction with Morden Road, with changes expected to be implemented this year. Once the review is complete, authorities will work with TfL to enact recommended improvements. However, the council has already ruled out extending the yellow box markings, citing conflicts with traffic signal design standards and stop line operation.
A spokesperson for Merton Council emphasised: "Road safety is a top priority for Merton Council, and we take any situation where pedestrians and other road users could be put at risk very seriously. When residents or road users raise safety concerns, we always investigate and make safety improvements where possible."
Resident Frustration and Future Fears
Long-term resident Derek Manning, who has lived on The Path since the 1990s when Morden Road was a two-lane highway, believes the area is no longer safe for its users. "London has got busier, we all know that. But if traffic increases, you have to put measures in place to keep it as safe as it was before," he remarked.
With the box junction frequently ignored by drivers who stop in the yellow box when their exit isn't clear—leaving residents stranded for extended periods—the community remains anxious. As Mike Circelli summarised: "It's so dangerous every single day, and they have just ignored it. If John [Councillor Braithwaite] can't get through to them, then they are just not listening to us."
The situation continues to unfold as residents await concrete action, hoping that the promised safety review will translate into meaningful improvements before more serious injuries occur at what they describe as South Wimbledon's most treacherous junction.
