Fountain Roundabout to Stay Following Strong Local Opposition
Plans to remove a key South London roundabout have been officially scrapped after significant backlash from residents and opposition councillors. Kingston Council has confirmed it will not proceed with proposals to eliminate the Fountain Roundabout in New Malden, which is considered a gateway into the town centre.
Council Opts for Alternative Safety Improvements
Instead of removal, the council will now investigate two alternative options to improve safety at the problematic junction. The first involves transforming it into a "Dutch-style roundabout" where pedestrians and cyclists are given priority. The second option consists of making minimal changes by adding zebra or parallel crossings to the roundabout's western arm.
Council officers will conduct detailed modelling of both proposals and consult with residents later this year before making a final decision on which approach to implement. This represents a significant shift from the original plan that had been under consideration.
Safety Concerns Prompted Original Review
The council initiated its review of the roundabout after receiving numerous concerns about safety issues. These included problems with the junction's layout, excessive vehicle speeds, inadequate protection for pedestrians and cyclists, and poor visibility at entry and exit points.
The authority had originally allocated £100,000 in 2023 to review the junction and proposed installing a zebra crossing. However, officers later determined this measure would not adequately address the safety concerns, leading to the appointment of consultants for further investigation.
Accident Statistics Highlight Safety Issues
Between January 2020 and December 2024, there were 24 collisions at the Fountain Roundabout resulting in 25 casualties, including one fatality. The percentage of serious and fatal collisions during this period stood at 20 percent, which exceeded the borough average of 17 percent.
Andy Allan from Kingston Cycling Campaign, which has been campaigning for safety improvements for years, welcomed the plans to make changes to the junction. He noted that while collision statistics tell part of the story, many residents avoid the hazards daily by choosing alternative routes or not making certain journeys at all.
Strong Public Opposition Influences Decision
The decision to abandon removal plans came after fierce opposition from local residents at the New and Old Malden neighbourhood committee meeting on January 22. A petition organised by the Kingston Independent Residents Group had called on the council to axe the removal option, which was first proposed under the previous Conservative administration.
Resident Julian McCarthy told the meeting that problems were not caused by the roundabout itself but by "the arrogance of drivers" who ignore "keep clear" sections. He argued that enforcing existing traffic rules would improve flow without the need for costly removal.
Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Durrant acknowledged that residents' objections had given the committee "pause for thought." He recognised safety concerns but described the roundabout as "an absolutely essential part of New Malden."
Frustration Over Delayed Action
Independent councillor Yvonne Tracey expressed frustration about the prolonged discussions, noting that the council had been talking about the roundabout "for absolutely years." She pointed out that money originally allocated for a crossing had been spent on further discussions instead.
"You say you listen, but have you listened for years and years?" she questioned. "Obviously not, because we're still here again. It's like Groundhog Day."
The council will now proceed with modelling the impact of each proposal on traffic patterns before consulting with residents and stakeholders. The final decision on whether to implement the Dutch-style roundabout or minimal crossing upgrades will follow this consultation process.
