Safety measures call for 'danger' road where pensioner was killed
A campaign has been launched calling for safety measures on a busy stretch of road where a pensioner was killed.
Highways bosses in Sandwell have been urged to introduce traffic lights or a pedestrian crossing on Wolverhampton Road in Oldbury.
Edward Harris, 85, was killed after a crash at the junction with Castle Road East, near the busy Birchley Island, in 2016 – and now campaigners are petitioning for safer crossings to be put in.
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Campaign leader Elizabeth Smith, 35, who has been a Castle Road West resident for 10 years, said: “There are that many accidents there.
“I have got two young children aged four and two. You start doing the school run and going to local facilities and you actually realise how much you are putting yourself and your family in danger.
“Something does need to be done – the amount of support I have had already has been really good and it has only been going since Monday.
“I would like to make it a T-junction or a pedestrian crossing now.”
Gamble
Since launching earlier this week, Mrs Smith has left petitions in four venues and gained 500 signatures on her own personal copy of the petition – including the backing of a headteacher.
Community members have been urged to sign one of the many petitions available at Wernley Pub, Warley Baptist Church, Lightwoods Primary School and ABC Day Nursery.
It follows the incident in 2016, in which Mr Harris’ Honda Jazz car was struck by an Audi, driven by personal trainer Kamran Raja.
The Audi, which had its roof down, smashed into a Honda Jazz after Kamran Raja had been travelling at 78mph on the 40mph stretch of the A4123.
Eighty-five-year-old Edward Harris had been to church and was travelling home having dropped his daughter off minutes earlier – giving her a final kiss goodbye.
Raja continued to cause controversy at the time when he was filmed days after sentencing in HMP Birmingham in a heated and expletive outburst with fellow inmates.
Campaign leader Mrs Smith said that crossing the road, where she says accidents occur as frequently as twice a month, is a ‘gamble’.
“Walking is definitely a gamble – we need it looked at as soon as possible."
