A dangerous crossroads will be made safer after campaigners called on Wirral Council to take action after one serious and one fatal accident.
The crossroads near the Three Stags Pub on Spital Road in Clatterbridge has become known for a number of accidents with people living in the area saying crashes occur on a nearly daily basis.
At a Wirral Council meeting, Lisa Anderson, whose dad William Horne, 84, was killed after being hit by a police car at a pedestrian crossing nearby spoke as did Kelly Newell, the mum of Thomas Willemsen, who was seriously injured at the junction on the way to school in 2020.
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Ms Anderson told the Environment, Climate Emergency, and Transport committee her dad had gone to pick up the paper everyday, was fit and healthy, and ready to celebrate his 65th wedding anniversary. She said her family had been devastated by his death.
She said drivers still often fail to notice the red light at the crossing because of the nearby crossroads adding: “I am asking you that the whole of this junction is made safe. No one should wave off their nearest and dearest to go get a newspaper never to return.”
Ms Newell said her son Thomas, who was 12 at the time of his accident, is still receiving care and was recently diagnosed with epilepsy as a result of head trauma though he had recovered from his physical injuries.
She said Thomas “is the bravest, most courageous young man and I’m proud about how he’s dealt with everything,” adding: “No child should give their parents a kiss goodbye in the morning when they leave and that could be a goodbye forever."
Ms Newell finished by saying to councillors: “When are you going to make changes to the system at Spital?”
Later in the Environment and Transport committee meeting, the changes to Spital road were voted through as part of a number of major changes proposed to Wirral’s roads to make them safer including new 20mph zones.
£550,000 will now be spent on the junction over the next two years with new puffin crossings and improvements to traffic islands.
Cllr Mary Jordan, who represents Clatterbridge, said people had been complaining about the Spital Road junction for years and described walking across it as “you take your life in your hands and you run.”
Speaking about Thomas’ accident, Cllr Jordan emotionally described the long term impact it will have on his life adding: “I am asking the council to work with residents to make the junction safe for all.”
In response to Lisa’s comments, Chair Cllr Liz Grey said: “Your story is heartbreaking, it’s heartbreaking and you are absolutely right. Nobody should lose a loved one in this way.”
She added: “We need a sense of urgency because you are not alone in your grief Lisa. Everyday people die or are seriously injured on our roads and it is not acceptable.”
Cllr Grey said council officers were working as quickly as possible to make the needed changes to Spital Road but also ensure it wouldn’t have a negative impact elsewhere.
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