Mother of girl,10, hit by car calls for speed bumps
A MOTHER whose 10-year-old daughter was hit by a car outside her school is calling on the local council to put speed bumps in place to prevent more collisions.
Mali-Haf Davies-Penman was taken to hospital and suffered a broken leg after the crash which happened outside Ffynnon Taf Primary school in Taffs Well on her way to school.
Her mother, Leanne Davies-Penman, has now written to Rhondda Cynon Taf council asking for speed bumps on Cardiff Road to allow children more time to see oncoming vehicles and to lower the speed of cars driving on the 30mph road outside the school.
But in a letter, the council said the area does not qualify for a Welsh Government-funded Road Safety Grant because not enough collisions have been road.
The letter states: “While I am aware of the recent collision involving your daughter, a review of the collision history for the most recent three-year period has shown there has been no reported personal injury related collisions along this section of Cardiff Road therefore this location would not qualify for funding under the grant criteria.”
The letter explains the council has a limited budget for road safety measures and a prioritisation process is in place to “ensure those locations with the greatest need are identified and the limited resources available are appropriately targeted”.
Mali-Haf was crossing the road with her mother, reported on the who was holding onto two five-year-old children, on her way to school.
Leanne said her daughter looked both ways and crossed the road but was hit by a taxi.
“It was horrendous,” Leanne said.
“It wasn’t the driver’s fault. It was awful for him and he was in a terrible state.
“I want to avoid this happening again and, with speed bumps there, would have been enough time for her to see the taxi.
“Why should there be any further casualties before something is done?
“A lot of people use that road to avoid the A470.
“I think it’s unacceptable that no speed bumps or signs or anything can be put outside the school.”
A spokeswoman for the council said: “The council will be monitoring and assessing the site.”