Safety measures plea after latest crash on Walsall road
A car smashed into a wall and ended up on its side on the same Walsall road where a teenage motorist was killed, prompting fresh calls for more safety measures.
Councillor Vera Waters said the number of crashes on Pelsall Lane, in Rushall, were on the increase and said “tougher action” and better traffic measures were required.
In October last year, a petition signed by 500 people was handed in to Walsall Council which highlighted the number of crashes that had taken place there, the most tragic being the death 19-year-old Arjun Singh Gandham.
Walsall Council said it was currently reviewing data and putting together its road safety programme for 2022/23.
The latest incident took place at around 8.15pm on Tuesday, where a vehicle hit a parked car and wall, flipping onto its side.
Three men were hurt in the crash and were taken to Walsall Manor Hospital for treatment but their injuries were not believed to be serious.
Rushall ward councillors have previously campaigned for something to be done about speeding motorists.
In October, Councillor Waters handed the petition in to Walsall Council’s economy and environment scrutiny committee but was told money for safety measures was limited which meant they had to prioritise work.
Prior to the fatal crash, Pelsall Lane had been ranked 85th out of 102 potential schemes.
At that meeting, resident Shirley Venables said: “It is very bad and even worse at night. Because there isn’t a great deal of traffic on the road, they come up so fast. You’re just waiting for the crash.”
Following the latest incident, Councillor Waters said: “These accidents are caused by drivers who aren’t taking due care and attention and who aren’t following the road guidelines.
“The speed of the vehicles exceeds the speed limits, they are putting residents in danger.
“We are seeing more and more accidents on Pelsall Lane and the police and Walsall Council have got to take tougher action.
“I presented a petition to the council on behalf of the residents of Pelsall Lane, this was signed by over 500. I will continue to fight to ensure better traffic measures put in place.”
A Walsall Council spokesman said: “We are currently reviewing the last three years collision data with a view to putting together the 2022/23 road safety programme.
“At this time we’re not in a position to confirm where in that programme Pelsall Lane may feature. The programme is due to be reported to Cabinet in March.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “We were called after a car hit a stationary car and a wall in Pelsall Lane, Rushall, just before 8.15pm on Tuesday.
“The vehicle landed on its side and three men from the car were taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.
“Anyone with information can contact via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, quoting log 3703 of 25 January, or by calling 101.”
