Call for law change on tyres after coach crash
CAMPAIGNERS want the law changing after a tragic coach crash in which an Edge Hill University student died.
Kerry Ogden, 23, was among those who died, as well as Michael Molloy, 18, and coach driver Colin Daulby, 63.
The coach crash happened in September 2012 as they were travelling back to Liverpool from the Isle of Wight after Bestival music festival, and the vehicle left the road before crashing into a tree.
The accident also left a number of other passengers with life-changing injuries.
The inquest into the crash found that the front nearside tyre, which was actually older than the coach itself, at 19 years, was the cause of the crash.
The “Tyred” campaign, led by Michael Molloy’s mum, Frances, therefore aims to bring about a change in the law requiring a ban on tyres older than 10 years being used on commercial and public service vehicles.
Public service vehicles include buses, coaches and minibuses.
The Department of Transport has previously issued guidance on the use of ageing tyres, recommending using newer tyres, but stopped short of making it a legal requirement.
The campaign to make it a law is being supported by Cllr Gordon Friel, who has put forward a motion regarding the campaign to be considered by Sefton Council.
The motion states that Cllr Friel “requests that the leader of the council writes to the Prime Minister and leader of the opposition to seek cross-party support for a change in the law.”
The Linacre Ward Labour councillor said: “I expect all councillors will support this motion, as we have supported similar campaigns before.
“I remember this incident being in the news and nothing has happened in all these years to change the laws.
“I hope that the motion is passed and we get the support needed to put pressure on the government to ensure nothing like that happens again.”
He added: “It is heartbreaking, and we need to ensure safety is paramount on transport.”
The motion will be raised at a Sefton Council meeting this evening (September 21), where a decision will be made by the full council.