No traffic lights for Brownhills crossing where boy, 11, died
Traffic lights will not be installed on a zebra crossing near a busy road where an 11-year-old died after being hit by a lorry, campaigners have been told.
And plans for a new crossing further down the street where Jack Garrington was knocked down have been thrown into doubt after they were ranked 14th on a priority list for the coming year.
A petition was launched by residents after the Shire Oak Academy pupil was hit by a lorry in Chester Road, Brownhills.
They want a zebra crossing in the adjoining Lindon Road to be replaced with traffic lights. But council bosses say a survey has revealed the current crossing is 'appropriate'.
Campaigners have also called for pedestrian crossings introduced in Chester Road, near Friezland Lane.
Although Walsall Council admits new crossings are needed, the scheme has only been placed 14th on the priority list and bosses say it will cost £20,000 - with this year's budget already decided.
An email from Steve Pretty, head of engineering and transportation, was shared by Councillor Mike Flower on a Facebook page campaigning for change along the road.
It said Chester Road 'would benefit from the installation of a zebra crossing or pedestrian refuge' but 'in comparison with other requests' the scheme only ranks 14th on the priority list'.
Councillor Flower said: "We will be supporting the residents and pushing for this crossing. We are pressing for the council to fund this £20,000."
Mr Pretty said a series of road safety workshops were given to year seven pupils at Shire Oak Academy earlier this year and further educational opportunities will be offered to the school.
He added: "Following the sad death of Jack Garrington road safety engineers have carried out a number of investigations at the scene of the collision and more widely assessing the need for further road safety measures along Chester Road.
"Police are leading the investigation into the fatal collision and the feedback from our road safety engineer will be fed back to them.
"When assessing the need for additional/improved road safety measures we have to consider requests against a range of criteria whilst looking at a number of other factors including the positioning of existing crossings.
"Based on this the request for an extra crossing on Chester Road has been placed in the appropriate position on the priority list when assessed against other schemes across the borough. A traffic survey has also been carried out near the zebra crossing on Lindon Road and it is felt this remains an appropriate crossing facility."
