Tragic boy's mother takes fight for Cheslyn Hay traffic improvements to Parliament

Michelle Clifton has compiled a petition totalling 1,550 signatures calling for traffic calming measures throughout Cheslyn Hay.

Tomorrow, she will hand it to South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson who has praised her efforts and thrown his weight behind the campaign. He plans to present the petition to Parliament on Tuesday. Miss Clifton will also submit the document to county councillors Kath Perry and Mike Lawrence, who represent Cheslyn Hay on the authority. Staffordshire County Council controls the highways.

Seven-year-old Mitchell Clifton was struck by a security van at the car park entrance of the Co-op in Landywood Lane in the village last October.

The Cheslyn Hay Primary School pupil died at the scene. After the tragedy, his mother went round the village handing out petitions to shops and businesses. She also launched an online petition called A Mother's Plea. Miss Clifton, aged 38, wants to reduce the speed of vehicles and improve general road safety throughout Cheslyn Hay.

She is also calling for the installation of a new crossing to make it safer for pedestrians, especially children, to cross the road in Landywood Lane. She said today: "I want to do all I can, in Mitchell's memory, to ensure that no other parent has to suffer the loss and grief that I have had to suffer.

"I'm really glad that Gavin is going to be presenting this to the House of Commons and that so many people are rallying behind us and fighting to get something done.

"Clearly, the speed of some cars through Cheslyn Hay is far too fast, with no thought for the people who live there. I want to see action taken."

Mr Williamson has pledged to do all he can to ensure residents' voices are heard.

He said: "I would like to pay tribute to the courage and determination of Ms Clifton and her family to see this change happen and hope that I can play some role in delivering a reduced speed limit in this area."