Family in calls to improve road signs after woman killed in lorry crash on crossing
A mother was knocked down by a lorry while she used a pedestrian crossing - prompting calls from her devastated family to improve signs at the site.
At an inquest, police collision investigator Pc Adam Green revealed the lorry driver, John Brown, had driven through a green light at the time of the crash.
In interview, Pc Green said Mr Brown told officers he had slowed down before the crossing to ensure he did not block it on seeing queuing traffic ahead.
But as the traffic moved ahead, he continued over the crossing, knocking down Mrs Sheridan. He claimed he did not see her.
At the hearing, the family of Mrs Sheridan, who described her as 'very cautious', said there was not enough visual signs at the crossing to tell the pedestrians when they could cross.
Currently, people are alerted to a green man on a button panel display almost a metre back from the road.
There is no sign facing the pedestrian from the other side of the road.
Mrs Sheridan's daughter, Emma Price, said: "I understand she had finished her shopping and walked out of the town on her normal route back home.
"She pressed button and as far as I am aware she has crossed the road thinking she is safe to cross, and has been knocked over."
She added: "I am concerned there is not enough there for the pedestrian visually to know if it is safe or not to cross the road.
"You have a button to the right behind you as you stand facing the road. There is no green man in front of you to see it is safe to cross."
Black Country coroner Zafar Siddique, who concluded Mrs Sheridan died from a road traffic collision, said he would consider writing to Sandwell Council, asking for improvements to the crossing.
He said he first wanted to speak to police for further detail, including previous accidents at the same location.
He said: "She has attempted to cross pedestrian crossing. Sadly she has then collided with the lorry.
"She received extensive life threatening injuries, the cause of death was multi-organ failure due to road traffic collision."
Pc Green said the lorry had come from the M6 when it approached the crossing, travelling at four mph as it slowed down.
He said: "It is an area of heavy traffic use. There are a number of LGVs use it. It would be beneficial I think for a green, red man on other side of crossing so pedestrians can be sure what phrase the lights are on without looking back."
The inquest heard that Mr Brown will face no criminal charges in relation to death of Mrs Sheridan, who lived in Manor Gardens in Wednesbury.
