Action on Walsall road used as 'race track'

Worried residents living on Bentley Lane have been calling for action following a number of crashes that have left them fearing someone will be seriously injured or even killed.

Walsall Council's cabinet has agreed to set aside £390,000 for safety improvements which will include traffic calming options and a review of signage, mini-roundabouts and pedestrian crossing facilities.

Last summer, Birchills-Leamore Labour councillors Lee Jeavons and Tina Jukes handed in a petition signed by people in the area, as part of a campaign for improvements.

The ward’s Conservative councillor Gaz Ali also said he had been contacted by concerned residents for years and raised the issue with the highways department.

Resident Shokt Fazal, who is also vice-chairman of the Birchills Agenda 21 group, submitted a question to cabinet about what action will be taken to tackle speeding.

He said: “We had another collision on Saturday, February 13 between a bus and a car. This has added to the numerous incidents we have had in the past 18 months.

Numerous

“We have raised issues with councillors but await council budget appraisal.”

Councillor Ali, who also spoke at the meeting, said: “A lot of residents of Bentley Lane and Reedswood Lane are very concerned about speeding and road safety.

“There have been numerous accidents on Bentley Lane because it is being used as a race course.

“I have seen many complaints, comments and suggestions including installing road humps, speed breakers and pedestrian crossings.

“We are all united on one thing – we need some form of road safety plan for Bentley Lane.”

The Bentley Lane work forms part of Walsall Council’s strategic transport plan and capital programme for the coming year, which will see a number of schemes completed in the next 12 months.

Councillor Jeavons said: “It’s a long time coming because there have been a number of accidents down there mostly at the same spot, close to bus stops, so we’re very lucky no one has been injured.

“I’m pleased because Tina and I put a petition together because we were contacted by a lot of residents over this.

“So we’d like to thank them for participating because it has resulted in action being taken.”