Safety petition after ‘hit-and-run’
HUNDREDS of residents have called for urgent safety measures to be installed on a Great Barr road where a dog walker was mowed down in a suspected hit-and-run. A petition signed by more than 900 people calling for action to be taken on Doe Bank Lane in Pheasey has been handed into Walsall Council.
A 53-year-old woman, named locally as Pat, was thrown into the air when a black Renault Clio swerved and ploughed into her and her dog as they walked on the road on July 22.
Sadly, her pet Staffie, called Millie, was killed while Pat suffered a broken leg and a gash the length of her calf.
Authority deputy leader and ward councillor Adrian Andrew said the people who signed the petition were from Doe Bank Lane and surrounding areas, park users, plus footballers and others concerned about safety on the road.
He said they wanted traffic calming and safety measures installed on Doe Bank Lane and added: “I’d like to thank the residents for collecting this and working with me in terms of doing this.” Council leader Mike Bird, who also represents the area, added: “I’d like to thank the co-operation of the public and police.”
Following the incident, police arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was later released.
A force spokeswoman said: “The 17-year-old remains released while investigations continue.”
The horrific incident shocked the community and prompted a Go Fund Me page to be set up to raise money for Pat.
Page owner Andi Baker said she was looking to raise £2,000 to pay for a memorial for Millie and hopefully a little break away for Pat and her husband before she starts physiotherapy as part of her recovery. To date, the page has raised more than £1,600 in just over a month.