U-turn joy for road safety campaigners

9:44am Friday 2nd May 2008

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THE county council has made a dramatic U-turn by deciding to put up £10,000 to look into road safety measures on the road where schoolboy Sam O'Dell was killed more than a year ago.

The decision comes just a few months after the integrated transport and safety manager David Thomas said there was no hard evidence to show that traffic restrictions on Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham, would make a contribution to safety.

The news has delighted hundreds of parents, schoolchildren and Chippenham town councillors who have been calling for something to be done since the accident in February last year.

The money has also come with the promise that it will be spent on investigating what safety measures would work in this financial year.

Coun Bill Douglas, who has spearheaded the campaign since the start, said: "At last something is being done and we can start to look forward with this campaign.

"Wiltshire County Council has stalled for long enough and now that they have promised to use this money in this financial year, I am happier.

"It was ridiculous that no money was being offered and it got to the point where we were wondering how many more children had to die before something was done. There are 3,500 children who attend the schools in that area - surely that is enough for the roads to be made safer?

"This money is a small victory for everyone who has campaigned hard to see something done, but there is still a way to go and I, for one, will not let this rest."

At the inquest into death of 11-year-old Corsham schoolboy Sam O'Dell, Wiltshire Coroner David Masters called for a speed limit of 20mph along the road after recording a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "It does concern me that there are limited safety measures in a place where we have two schools."

A spokesman for Wiltshire County Council said: "Based on a number of factors, the county council has allocated £10,000 to undertake a feasibility study into a possible pedestrian crossing on Hardenhuish Lane.

"The study, which will take place this financial year, will make recommendations which the council will look into carefully before deciding on the next course of action.

"Safety is our paramount concern on our roads and we will continue to do all that we can within the resources we have to improve road safety for everyone."