The fight for a footbridge over Henlys Corner continued yesterday as a petition signed by more than 1,000 people was presented to the Mayor of London.

Councillor Brian Coleman, Barnet's Conservative cabinet member for community engagement and community safety, handed over the petition to Ken Livingstone at a meeting of the London Assembly at City Hall.

The petition was started by Thea Valman, of Bridge Lane, Temple Fortune, after figures provided by Barnet Council in February showed that the junction of Henlys Corner was the most dangerous stretch of road in the borough.

Mr Coleman said: "I still want a proper scheme that's going to solve all the problems but, in the short term, a bridge may be the answer.

"It's been going on for about 30 years, and I fear at this rate the North Circular fiasco will see out my career. Livingstone and his office are very anti car, and there's no real political drive for them to sort out the North Circular."

A spokesperson for Ken Livingstone said: "We are aware of the safety problem at this location and are developing proposals to address this issue.

"We have recently installed a new pedestrian crossing at the A406 junction with the A1 Falloden Way, providing a means to cross the A406 at this busy junction. This crossing is not intended as a permanent measure to the problem at Henlys Corner, but it is an alternative until a more permanent solution is found."

Transport for London (TfL) is looking at other short-term measures that can be implemented in the next few months.

Barnet residents have been promised a proper consultation process so their views can be taken into account', a TfL statement added.