A SOLIHULL road is to be looked at as a ‘special case’ for safety improvements following a crash where a pair of teenagers were injured.
Former West Midlands Police chief superintendent, Michael Doyle, urged Solihull Council to take action against ‘reckless’ and ‘speeding’ drivers on Church Hill Road.
Since Mr Doyle first called on the Council to step up a pair of teenagers were ‘significantly injured’ after they were hit buy a car on the road.
At the meeting he said: “A large group of residents gathered and it would be an understatement to say that tension was high. People were furious as they saw this once again as an avoidable accident.”
Councillor Samantha Gethen, who represents St Alphege – where the road sits, has been part of the campaign for better safety measures on the road for the past 18 months.
She said: “We have seen some interventions – repainting of white lines, new signage, the placement of a speed visor on Church Hill Road.
“These are welcome steps but sadly have not gone far enough.
“Local police have also played a role through periodic traffic enforcement.
“Despite all these combined efforts the fundamental issue remains unresolved – Church Hill Road continues to be a hazardous stretch.”
The authority’s head of highways management, Paul Tovey, told the Environment and Infrastructure Decision meeting there was an “emerging trend” in the road which was why action was being considered.
In response to a question from Councillor Max McLoughlin, for Shirley South, on what made Church Hill Road a special case, Tovey said it was partly down to the number of pedestrians in the area heading to school and college.
He added drivers did not always slow down approaching the two bends, with some driving above 45mph in a 30mph zone.
Councillor Ken Hawkins, cabinet member for Environment and Infrastructure, agreed for Church Hill Road to be considered as a special case, approve the development of a detailed traffic calming scheme and seek appropriate funding and for the outcome to be reviewed and at a future decision session.
