Josie Hinton A WOMAN has died after being hit by a lorry at a Marylebone danger spot. The 44-year-old pedestrian was killed on Monday after being hit by a skip lorry on Marylebone Road at the junction with Old Marylebone Road. The woman, believed to be fr

Josie Hinton

A WOMAN has died after being hit by a lorry at a Marylebone danger spot.

The 44-year-old pedestrian was killed on Monday after being hit by a skip lorry on Marylebone Road at the junction with Old Marylebone Road.

The woman, believed to be from the Marylebone area, was taken to St

Mary's Hospital but was pronounced dead an hour after the accident which took place at 4.15pm.

The lorry driver, a 48-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of

causing death by dangerous driving. He has been bailed to return to police in May, pending further enquiries.

The accident took place opposite Christ Church Bentinck CE Primary School and a number of parents were witness. Lilaben Patel, who owns L&A News in Old Marylebone Road, said the crossing was "very, very dangerous".

"The traffic treats Marylebone Road like it's a motorway and people jump the lights and drive at very high speeds," she said.

"They forget that this is a residential area and there are pedestrians walking around and trying to cross."

Seymour Place resident Janet Combs added: "I'm a cyclist and riding along Marylebone Road each morning feels like I'm dicing with death.

"It's an incredibly busy road and during the rush hour drivers' tempers are on a short fuse.

"The roads that lead off the main road, like Old Marylebone Road, have people living, walking and cycling along them but the traffic doesn't account for this.

"There's a primary school just across the road from where this poor lady died, which is another cause for concern."

Dean Owen, a volunteer at the Church Army on Cosway Street, said: "It's really busy coming off the flyover - it's been branded one of the busiest roads in the country.

"We've contacted the council so many times about the road but nothing seems to be changing. Instead of improving it they've now taken safety railings down, and there's a school up the road."

Marylebone Road forms a main artery in and out of London and is heavily congested.

The accident comes the same week Mayor of London Boris Johnson unveiled plans for pedestrian countdowns at crossings, displaying how long pedestrians have left to cross the road in safety.

Police are appealing for information relating to the fatal accident. Call 020-7388 6806.