Call for more safety measures after Broadway West crash

A dangerous road that claimed the lives of two teenagers should get safety measures, according to councillors who have issued a call for action.

The scene of the fatal collision in Broadway West, Walsall, which claimed the lives of student Alex, who had ridden his Suzuki GSF 600 motorbike to pick up his friend, Tarik

Friends Alex Lees, aged 19 and Tarik Campbell, 18, died in a crash on the busy Broadway West road in Walsall on March 13. They were on a motorbike which was involved in a collision with a car.

Councillor Mike Bird, leader of the opposition at Walsall Council, says change is needed before more accidents happen along the route.

He has called for flashing road signs, which alert motorists when they are driving over the 30mph limit, to be introduced.

Tarik Campbell, aged 18, and Alex Lees, 19, who died in the crash

Ward councillor Mohammed Nazir has echoed councillor Bird’s comments, saying he was ‘frightened’ when a car travelling ‘between 60mph to 70mph’ went past him along Broadway West.

Councillor Bird said: “I think we could do with some signs around the Broadway. The Broadway is without doubt a very serious road in relation to speed. It is something that has got to be looked at.

“I am not one for speed humps I think they are a waste of time, these signs that light up are more effective. I will be asking if we can put any measures on the Broadway,” he said.

Councillor Nazir added: “I was canvassing in Broadway West when I saw a car going 60 to 70mph. I was frightened at how fast it was going.”

The safety measure calls come in the wake of the tragic death of the two young friends who died in a crash with a car on the road in March.

Student Alex had ridden his black Suzuki GSF 600 motorbike to pick up his friend, Tarik, from the end of his McDonald’s shift before the tragedy occurred.

An inquest opening heard that a red Rover car turned right when the two were driving along Broadway West and the bike hit the side of the vehicle.

The 58-year-old driver was arrested after producing a positive breathing test and a review hearing is due on June 12.

The inquest was adjourned for three months so police investigations can continue.

Tributes have poured in for the friends and a two-minute silence was held ahead of a Wednesbury Hockey match Alex was due to play in.