TWO men have died in traffic accidents at blackspots residents have fought for years to make safer. On Saturday morning, a man in his 20s was killed in a hit-and-run crash at Henley's Corner, Temple Fortune

Katie Davies

TWO men have died in traffic accidents at blackspots residents have fought for years to make safer.

On Saturday morning, a man in his 20s was killed in a hit-and-run crash at Henley's Corner, Temple Fortune - an area where campaigners are demanding a safer crossing.

And just hours later that day, Petr Loukoyanov, 87, was killed outside the Old Bull & Bush pub on North End Way, Hampstead.

Ubby Cowan leads the campaign for improvements at Henley's Corner.

He and elderly neighbours travel by bus to a safer crossing just to get across the busy four lanes of traffic.

He said: "Transport for London just doesn't want to know. It just wants the traffic to continue and now someone has lost their life.

"Everyone keeps putting this crossing off, saying it is too expensive, and there are people suffering because of that.

"It is all wrong. There is a fortune being spent and it is of no benefit. People are still being killed - it is disgusting."

The man, whose details have not been released by police, was hit by a small, dark blue car at 2.30am when he was crossing the road and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The car failed to stop and continued driving along the A1 towards Archway.

Then, at 10am, Mr Loukoyanov, originally from Russia, was killed crossing the road outside the Bull&Bush.

North End Way and the adjoining North End Road have been at the centre of a campaign to slow down traffic and improve pedestrian safety.

Barnet and Camden councils' plans for another crossing on North End Road are currently out for consultation.

Lead campaigners Pat and Joan Lawrence told the Ham&High last month the crossing, which was suggested at the same time as their 60th wedding anniversary, was the best gift they could receive.

Mrs Lawrence said: "We did suggest something should be done to reduce speed on the road. This is a terrible thing and just adds to the call to have more done there."

It is believed the driver involved in the crash which killed Mr Loukoyanov has been questioned by police pending further inquiries. He works for a cleaning company and his boss told the Ham&High he was devastated about what happened.

He said: "It looks as though the elderly gentleman stepped out and was hit by the passenger side. [My employee] said he was blinded by the sun. He stopped straight away.

"It is terrible someone has lost their life. I know his sadness and condolences go out to the family but it doesn't help them, does it."

The police are appealing for witnesses in both accidents.

Anyone who saw the incident at Henley's Corner should call Colindale Police Station on 020-8200 1212.

Witnesses to the collision on North End Way should call traffic police at Euston on 020-7388 6806.