30mph limit call after cyclist hurt
CALLS have been made for a safety review on a busy road after a 12-year-old boy suffered serious leg injuries when he was knocked off his bike.
Aaron Bostock collided with a car on Thursday, at about 6.15pm, in Ash Bank Road, Werrington, close to its junction with Meigh Road, pictured below.
The Moorside High School pupil was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for treatment and the road was shut for about an hour following the incident.
People living near to where the collision took place say the accident highlights the need for improved safety measures on the road.
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Stephanie Mellor, who lives opposite where the accident happened, wants the speed limit on the road to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph.
The 35-year-old, who called for an ambulance following the collision, said: "I've been saying for years this part of the road needs to be 30mph.
"We've had three accidents in the last six months and it's not so long ago another boy was knocked off his bike. It's time something was done before someone else gets hurt."
Neighbour Adrian Wood believes the road needs another speed camera to improve safety.
The 44-year-old postman said: "Motorists know there is a speed camera at the top of the road and at the bottom, but they put their foot down on this stretch, because the road opens up and there is nothing to force them to slow down."
Elizabeth Thompson, 61, of Meigh Road, believes the main problem is parked cars on the pavement.
She said: "When we're pulling out of Meigh Road on to Ash Bank Road, I'm concerned when cars are parked on the corner, because it blocks your view of oncoming traffic. I think it would be a good idea to get the speed down to 30mph."
In April, Staffordshire County Council launched a review of speed limits on all of the county's 78 A and B roads, including the A52 Ash Bank Road.
The council has been told by the Government to reconsider speed limits on all of its A and B roads by 2011, as part of a national review to reduce road accidents and fatalities.
Werrington councillor Bill Day, who serves on both Staffordshire County and Moorlands District councils, as well as the parish council, said: "We've been asking the question if we can have more speed cameras along that stretch of road, but it does not meet the Government criteria.
"At the moment, the county council is carrying out a speed review on all A and B roads and we are pushing for this particular stretch of the A52 to be reduced to 30mph as part of that review."
Police are appealing for witnesses following the collision. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Cheadle on 0300 1234455, quoting incident number 0564 of October 22.
Comments
by steven, stoke
Monday, October 26 2009, 10:51PM
“Postman Wood has made a very valid point about the cameras on Ash Bank which is also relevant to cameras in general...that is to say, they prevent speeding in the vicinity of the camera..but (I suggest) they encourage those so-inclined to 'make-up' the time in between the cameras' view. My point reinforces my belief that robot-cameras are no substitue for proper traffic policing, but are a 'lazy' or 'cheap' alternative that have the cash-strapped authorities clasping their hands in joy (for many reasons). I pity the poor people who live along the once-pleasant avenue that is now simply 'Ash Bank Racetrack' who must learn to co-exist with constant tyre-noise and throbbing exhausts of the 'camera-hopping' commuter. Maybe the authorities will see fit to ruin the road with excessive street-furniture and strange paved protruberances (as in, for example, Lower Lightwood Road) so that its residents may have a peaceful lie-in from time to time.”
by Chris, Staffs
Saturday, October 24 2009, 9:50AM
“Typical for some people to start demanding this that and the other before the police have even established the cause of the accident. Why are some people so hysterical? Let's wait for the police investigation and THEN decide what action if any, might be taken; instead of this fanatical jumping and and down and banging the same old drum.”