Kyle Bastable: 1,000 sign petition to change Birchley Island speed limit after death of schoolboy
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition to change the speed limit of a major island in the Black Country where a 11-year-old boy died after being hit by a lorry.
The change.org petition - set up in memory of Kyle Bastable - has seen an influx of signatures calling for changes to the speed limit for HGV lorries around Birchley Island in Oldbury alongside working traffic light cameras and barriers.
Kyle, also known as Joe, suffered serious injuries and died close to the Shell garage near the island on August 31 after being hit by a DPD lorry.
The petition has been started by Kyle's mother, Tammy Bastable, and so far has attracted 1,268 signatures. It is intended to be submitted to Sandwell Council once the 1,500 mark has been reached.
In a statement on the site, Mrs Bastable pleads that unless changes are made, Kyle 'wasn't the first and won't be the last'.
It reads: "A petition in memory of Kyle Bastable who who died on 31/8/2017 on Birchley Island.
"We want changes to speed limit for HGV lorries on Birchley Island to prevent anymore deaths an accidents, also to have working cameras which will prevent speeding and vehicles going over on red lights as the cameras are not working - which could of helped my sons case a lot quicker.
"Having barriers around the island will stop people going on to the island to use as a short cuts to McDonalds, Asda and petrol station. There is a walking path around the island which is misleading to pedestrians thinking its ok to cross and walk on.
"We want railings on joining roads off the junctions on the island which is the only island I know without railings with a gap were you can cross.
"My son wasn't the first and he wont be the last unless changes are made."
The road was shut for more than seven hours while initial investigations were carried out following the incident.
A second boy was also assessed at the scene by paramedics before being left in the care of his parents.
An inquest was opened into Kyle's death last November.
The youngster was described as a 'happy chap' and a 'great friend' following his tragic death, with dozens of tributes flooding in on social media.
Floral tributes have remained at the scene during the festive period.
To view the petition visit the Change.org website.
