Victoria Bus Station safety calls after fatal crash

Transport for London (TfL) needs to focus on safety at Victoria Bus Station, Westminster's MP has said.

Conservative MP Nickie Aiken said she was "concerned about passenger safety" after a woman was killed when she was hit by a bus on Monday.

Catherine Finnegan, 56, died at the scene after being hit by a double-decker at 08:59 GMT.

TfL's chief operating officer Glynn Barton said the bus station had a "full safety assessment" after the crash.

The Metropolitan Police said the bus driver, a 46-year-old woman, was taken to hospital and had since been discharged.

A third person was treated by paramedics at the scene.

"Serious collision detectives are carrying out inquiries to establish what happened," the Met said.

In a tribute from her family on Tuesday, Ms Finnegan was described as "our beloved daughter, sister, partner, most adored auntie and treasured friend".

They added: "She was a whirlwind in any room and lit up this world with her energy, enthusiasm for life and joy. She will be forever in our hearts."

Ms Finnegan, originally from County Galway and also known as Kathleen, had a "fast Irish wit" and "made her friends and family so very proud of her clever, bright personality", her family said.

Ms Aiken, the Cities of London and Westminster MP, said: "I do remain concerned about passenger safety at the bus station.

"I use the bus and I use the Tube there and I know how small and compact it is. There are thousands upon thousands of commuters coming in and out every day.

"It's a tragedy to have a second death within a few years... and now sadly this second one after safety works have taken place.

"I do think TfL really do need to take this a lot more seriously and really understand why this seems to be a real hotspot for accidents and for fatalities.

"There is obviously a serious issue here. We don't know the reasons behind this particular accident but we will find out."

In 2021, Melissa Burr, 32, was killed when she was hit by a bus at Victoria Bus Station while using a pedestrian walkway.

Bus driver Olusofa Popoola 61, accidentally accelerated into the back of a stationary bus, shunting it into her.

Keith Prince, transport spokesman for the City Hall Conservatives, said: "This is a tragedy that should not have happened. Sadiq Khan must publish the findings of the investigation so we can learn lessons and ensure it doesn't happen again.

"In addition to looking at the cause of this terrible incident, the investigation must also examine if the bus station layout was a contributing factor."

In November, the bus station at Terminus Place was closed for about six weeks for "essential works to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility".

The works included changing parts of the layout, altering road markings and adding tactile paving.

TfL's Mr Barton said: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the woman who was tragically killed at Victoria Bus Station.

"Safety is our top priority and the bus station has reopened following a full safety assessment.

"We continue to work closely with the police and the operator, RATP, on the investigation into this tragic incident, and ensuring all lessons are learnt."

TfL has previously set specific targets for safe travel in London. It wants to see no bus-related deaths by 2030.

Monday's crash was the second fatal collision involving a double-decker bus and a pedestrian at a London bus station in two months.

In December, a 74-year-old woman died after she was hit by a number 212 double-decker at Walthamstow bus station.

Since January 2014 there have been more than 80 fatal bus collisions, according to data published by City Hall on 18 January.

Six of those have been at bus stations, including Euston and Kingston in March 2014 and Edmonton Green in 2020.

Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat member of the London Assembly, who has campaigned on the issue of bus safety, has also been contacted for comment.

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