Speeding and e-scooters are dangers at blackspots
TRADERS HIGHLIGHT THEIR CONCERNS
SHOP workers say speeding drivers and e-scooters are part of the problem on the roads dubbed the worst accident blackspots in Nottingham.
Of three roads identified as at the highest risk of a serious or fatal accident, Ilkeston Road is listed as presenting the highest danger.
It links Derby Road and Wollaton Road in the city, and businesses in Ilkeston Road said some drivers turn out of a junction “blind”.
Sarah Wilkinson, 30, owner of the Roots Organic shop on the street, said: “You quite often get people turn out blind on the junction and take a chance.
“People are so desperate to get across before they get caught by the camera.”
Ms Wilkinson also spoke of the problems associated with “terrible” e-scooters.
“Often I literally have to creep out of my door when I come out of my shop every evening,” she said.
“I have to look out first for e-scooters because it’s slightly downhill – they gather up speed really quickly.
“The red light camera needs to be a little bit more sensitive. It gives too much allowance and doesn’t catch people.”
Ruby Oliver, who works at Mitchell’s The Bowl in Ilkeston Road, suggested new safety measures.
“It’s very dangerous because cars go so fast,” she said.
“A dog was killed here a few years ago.
“We need a camera and a proper zebra crossing.
“The e-scooters are another big issue as they’re always bobbing down without caring who’s in the way.”
Roads around the county are categorised by their risk based on the amount of crashes.
The data has been compiled by Ageas, in partnership with the Road Safety Foundation.
Derby Road, from its junction with Middleton Boulevard to its junction with Alfreton Road, is also included under the highest level of road risk.
People on the street said they weren’t surprised.
David Murdan, 59, one of the owners of Lime Gallery in Derby Road, said: “It’s a dangerous road, because there’s no policing the speed so a lot of people use it as a drag race.
“The e-scooters are stupid. They come down the road and go the wrong way. They never wear helmets. It’s just an accident waiting to happen.”
David Oldershore, 72, owner of Windblowers in Derby Road, said people “race” up the road.
He said: “People are always racing up the hill.
“We’ve had lorries going the wrong way down the road, simply because they need access to a building when they’re delivering something.
“We used to have a parking meter just a few yards down from the shop but now they’ve moved it about 100 yards away.”
The final road deemed at the highest risk is Hucknall Road between Carrington and Nottingham City Hospital.
Data found that 1,445 fatal and serious accidents occurred in Nottinghamshire from 2017 to 2019, of which 1,183 were recorded in the city.
Nationally, there were 35,374.
People are always racing up the hill and we’ve had lorries going the wrong way down the road
David Oldershore, pictured