RESIDENTS in Hampstead Garden Suburb have slammed Barnet Council for spending �40,000 on a zebra crossing only seven people support. Some 600 parents at Brookland School were questioned by the council about improving road safety. Seven said they supported

RESIDENTS in Hampstead Garden Suburb have slammed Barnet Council for spending �40,000 on a zebra crossing only seven people support.

Some 600 parents at Brookland School were questioned by the council about improving road safety.

Seven said they supported a crossing on Ossulton Way, and the council has now decided to introduce it.

However, nearby residents have hit out against the scheme which they say will look ugly. Hampstead Garden Suburb residents association chairman, David Lewis, said: "We have seen no evidence that families are in danger crossing this road. The council's own records show no incidents, even 'slight' at this location.

"Our own sample observations on two school mornings revealed that seven and eight families crossed the road on their way to school within a half hour period. In about a quarter of the cases, the road was clear.

"In about half the cases, oncoming cars stopped to allow the families to cross. In the remaining cases the families had to wait up to five seconds for a stream of three to five cars to pass before the road became clear to cross.

"Saving five seconds for two or three families is not a sufficient reason to spend �40,000 of our money and despoil the conservation area."

The council's decision letter states 780 letters had been sent to local people on the issues after the parents were questioned but only five per cent wrote back in support.

Derek Epstein, the Residents Association's conservation spokesman said: "I don't think anyone would need a PhD in statistics to accept that Barnet's consultation failed to demonstrate a level of public support for their proposal that was statistically significant."

Councillor for Hampstead Garden Suburb and transport boss Andrew Harper said: "Barnet Council has listened and acted on a thorough consultation, which has shown there is clear support for a zebra crossing. We will now proceed with its installation.

At the same time, we will do as much as we can to minimise the visual impact of the crossing. Introducing a crossing at this point will make the route to school safer for pupils , as well as making it easier for other pedestrians to cross the road.