Kingston Council has been urged not to rip out a key roundabout as it draws up plans to improve the junction.

A petition from Kingston Independent Residents Group (KIRG) demanding Kingston Council rules out removing the Fountain Roundabout, in New Malden, altogether was signed by 250 residents.

The council is investigating how to resolve serious safety issues at the roundabout caused by its layout, vehicle speeds, inadequate protection for pedestrians and cyclists, and poor visibility at entry and exit points.

There were 28 collisions at the junction in the five years up to 2024, including one fatality.

The authority agreed to spend £100,000 on reviewing the layout of the junction in 2023 and proposed to install a zebra crossing, but officers later ruled this would not resolve the issues and appointed consultants to investigate further.

The council's New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee was briefed on nine potential options for the junction in September 2024, which KIRG said included proposals to remove the roundabout altogether and replace it with a crossroads.

Fountain Roundabout, New Malden (Image via Google Maps)

Independent councillor James Giles told a council meeting on Tuesday (October 14) an "almost identical plan" was pushed by the council and firmly opposed by campaigners in 2016.

Most feedback from residents was not supportive of the scheme, while Councillor Giles said Transport for London (TfL) stated it would slow down traffic in the area.

Councillor Giles said residents opposed the scheme as it would have removed the right turn from Malden Road into Burlington Road, endangered its historic monument and offered no clear improvement for walking or cycling.

He told the meeting residents "rejected it then for the same reasons they reject it now", as he called for the option to be ruled out from future consultation on plans to redesign the junction.

Councillor Giles said: "Consultation is not a blank cheque. It needs a scope and residents are clear – it's a waste of public money to consult on the option that removes the roundabout. It's been tested and rejected."

He added: "By all means, consult on details that will help – delivering a zebra crossing, refurbishing the fountain and, indeed, if change is needed, exploring a genuine Dutch-style roundabout. But we ask the council stop wasting taxpayer money on a removal scheme the community does not want."

A Kingston Council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the junction needs fundamental design changes to tackle persistent collision problems, and the authority will work closely with TfL and residents as it is an important bus route.

The spokesperson said: "No preferred design has yet been agreed, and the funding secured to date is not allocated to any specific design.

"Funding received so far has been used to determine the impact of different options using modelling software, including options that retain a roundabout. This work is essential for understanding the overall impact on all road users when considering any scheme.

"The council has now bid for further funding next year, which will be used for further developing the design and community engagement in order to guarantee the best and most deliverable option to address safety issues without negatively impacting buses.

"On 26 September 2024, all members of the New and Old Malden committee received a briefing on nine potential options as part of the initial engagement process.

"Additionally, recent engagement sessions were held in September with all members regarding the draft Local Implementation Plan (LIP) programme for 2026/27. We intend to undertake full, open and transparent community engagement on a shorter list of viable options next year."