Saturday 23 October 6pm was the tenth anniversary of Brigitte Robinson’s death by 18 wheel tipper truck lorry at the junction of Great Suffolk Street with Borough High Street.

Brigitte was a close friend I met when I was the chairperson of Southwark Cyclists. One of the most vivacious fun people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. We and many others were ardent cycle campaigners. She touched on so many lives that it was particularly tragic that she should die while cycling.

The lorry driver was found to have been working 7 days a week, 14 hour days for many many months and at the time had his son in the cab during the school holidays!

What’s changed since then?

About another 100 cyclists have died in London by Lorry. Not much else.

In Southwark the councils fleet of vehicles now has side bars to reduce the chance of going under the back. I’ve been assured that Veolia, Southwark’s waste contractor, will be strongly encouraged in May/June when its fleet renewal comes up to have side bars. This will make a difference but wont solve it single handed.

What next…..