RESIDENTS IN ACTION PLEA AT ‘ACCIDENT BLACKSPOT’
RESIDENTS are calling on Coventry City Council to introduce traffic calming measures at what they claim is an accident blackspot where a fatality is waiting to happen.
In the latest collision along The Chesils in Cheylesmore, two drivers had a lucky escape from a smash that left one of the vehicles pinned on its side against a garden wall.
The force of the crash left the blue Ford upturned on its front right axle with the bonnet of a Peugeot people carrier underneath it on Saturday morning (May 2).
While the cause of the latest collision is not known, residents had already been campaigning for traffic calming measures along The Chesils, a long stretch of 30mph road where the latest collision took place at a junction with Dillotford
Avenue. Firefighters and paramedics attended the incident but no one was seriously injured.
Further accidents have taken place at another junction where The Chesils crosses Knoll Drive.
Campaigner Zaid Rehman said: “There have been quite a few accidents, including a similar incident where a car went into a wall on Knoll Drive.
“There have been six accidents on the corner where Knoll Drive is. All four walls have been damaged over the past four years and it’s something we see quite regularly.
“The latest accident is about the fourth this year and last year there were about three. It’s a long, clear stretch of road with no signs.
“It’s quite scary, especially as there are three schools nearby with no school signs. We worry that if measures are not put in place to calm the traffic, someone will be killed. It would only take someone to step out at the wrong time.”
Around 500 people have signed a petition - which has been gathered online and on paper demanding the council introduces traffic calming measures.
Residents want safety precautions including raised junctions, essentially speed bumps slowing joining traffic, along The Chesils, as well as street signs.
Mr Rehman said: “We have raised the petition with City Services, who took a look at it a few weeks ago. Essentially, they are not doing anything.
“Many of the crashes don’t require the emergency services to attend so they are not included in the official figures. With the lockdown, I’m not sure when we’ll be able to meet with City Services, or if a meeting will take place online.
“We’re not hopeful as they have said they won’t do anything unless there’s been a fatality. It seems rather absurd and in the meantime it’s scary for people who live in the area.”