The family of a man killed in a crash on the A38 six years ago have renewed calls for speed restrictions to be put in place on the road through Lichfield.
Ben Warrington died when his motorbike was hit by a lorry on the slip road of the dual carriageway at Streethay in 2012.
Following the crash, the 24-year-old’s sister launched an online petition calling for increased safety measures to be put into place.
But six years on from his death, Ben’s mother Hilary says she fears another fatal accident could happen again on the same stretch.
“We are about to face yet another painful anniversary of the worst day of our lives,” she said. “As we are joining the carriageway at Streethay to go to Burton we are constantly reminded of this awful tragedy as we pass the flower memorial to our son.
“Even our MP Michael Fabricant has tried to make this area safer by calling for streetlights, but we were told by highways officials that the area was low risk as there has only been one death.
“One is too many.”
A number of recent accidents on the A38 have lead to Hilary renewing calls for action to prevent further accidents.
“Drivers are allowed to drive at speeds that are far too high,” she said. “This is a dreadful road and surely the speed limit should be 50mph on the whole road at least.”
I wish the family all the best.
We’re currently trying to have a speed camera installed on the 30mph limit on Birmingham Road in Shenstone, as the thirty limit is routinely ignored. Anecdotally I would say 7 in 10 cars ignore the speed limit. The pavement is narrow, children walk to school down that road and it is dangerous.
What has been eye-opening in the process is the ambivalence from the police, council etc. The ridiculous notion that something has to have happened before measures can be considered. It is the most ridiculous approach to pro-active health and safety and flies in the face what health and safety is about, which is looking what COULD happen, not what did happen, how can we stop it in the future, although that is valid too.
Well something did happen for you, you lost a son, which is utterly tragic, I hope it gets you some traction, because nothing else seems to.
Darryl. Sadly I think it is how most things are, these days.
If they can’t make money from it. They are not interested.
The Birmingham Road rail bridge is a place, I am surprised there are not more accidents or fatalities. HGV’s drive as fast as they can, down the middle of the road. They have no concept of right of way. They are big, everyone else has to get out of their way.
I have seen a number of near misses and have had a couple myself. I try and avoid this route as much as I can.
When work commences on HS2 there will be 50mph and 40mph restrictions on the A38 for years, together with years of overnight closures.
The SCC have a pro – haulage agenda and will do nothing for its residents. Sadly all comments are right, if it costs money they are not interested.
http://www.l-a-g.co.uk
Darryl Godden, I spent 4 years driving through Shenstone on the daily commute, and not only are you correct but I often got the up-the-bumper headlights-on from drivers wanting me to exceed the limit.
I commute on the A38 everyday. It is no longer fit for purpose. The speed of traffic is too high, the nature of the entry points and slip roads force last minute lane changes especially around Fradley, there are many distribution hubs springing up alongside without any thought to road upgrade or traffic calming. It’s a scary road! Most days there is an accident. Improve the road please and educate the drivers. The speed limit signage is laughable; at one point there is a 50 and national speed limit within metres of each other. Average speed checks? Lower the limit on its entirety? Widen? Lengthen slip roads? European style slip roads? Left hand lane for entry and exit only? Please do something before the next sad event.