Cyclist tsar’s plea for urgent action after tragic Birmingham road deaths
A plea has gone out to senior police and council leaders[1] in Birmingham for urgent action on road safety after tragic deaths over the last fortnight.
Adam Tranter, cycling and walking commissioner for the West Midlands, said there has been too much avoidable carnage on the streets - and it is time for action, not words.
In a recent address to a Roadpeace memorial event, Mr Tranter had highlighted that since 2019 there had been 28 deaths in the West Midlands of vulnerable road users in hit and runs, with another 188 very serious injuries and 250 serious injuries.
In a letter addressed to West Midlands Chief Constable Craig Guildford, Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and the city council's transport lead Cllr Liz Clements, Mr Tranter pressed for an urgent summit to discuss the issues.
Mr Tranter said we must no longer accept the deaths of vulnerable road users, including cyclists, as 'normal'. "Everyone should feel safe using our roads, but through a combination of design, policy and enforcement priorities, this is not the case."
He said there was a consensus on the need for change. He said: "We have to turn the tide on aggressive driving in Birmingham. It is everywhere you look. A big difference could be made by focusing on what seem like low-level offences, such as using illegal number plates or anti-social parking, that often lead to other more serious road violence and other crimes that blight our communities."
He added: "Birmingham has revealed bold plans to make it easier and safer for people cycling and walking but the pace of the delivery of schemes to protect vulnerable road users needs to be accelerated."
He highlighted how funding has been secured to put in an extended cycleway to Longbridge - but it will be 2027 before it is put in. In the meantime more cyclists could get hurt, like one seriously injured last Friday while cycling on Bristol Road South, near Longbridge Island, said Mr Tranter. The motorist involved was subsequently held on suspicion of driving while unfit through drugs.
"Funding via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (was granted) in 2022 for an extension to the A38 Active Travel Route to provide a continuous 7.2km segregated cycle route from Selly Oak to Longbridge....but Birmingham City Council[4] ’s delivery estimate for this is January 2027.
"I understand there are challenges, but it highlights that we need to move much further and faster."
He has asked for an urgent meeting to discuss the issues and build an action plan.
Hussien Nur Teklise[5] died after a crash on Belgrave Middleway. The 45-year-old was cycling when he was struck by a vehicle in the city centre, just after 2pm, on Tuesday, May 16. His fiancée issued a heartbreaking tribute which said he loved spending time with his two-year-old son.
In a separate incident this week, a male cyclist was hit and later died while cycling on Chester Road at its junction with Gravelly Lane in Erdington[6] just before 5.30pm on May 31. A man has been arrested in connection with the death.
Asked about the recent tragedies, a Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the families and friends impacted by these tragic incidents. Road safety for all users of the highway is of utmost importance and a sequence of set procedures is followed for fatal collisions, which will see the council support the ongoing police investigation to establish facts and respond to any recommendations that may be put forward in due course by either the police or any coroner’s inquest.”
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References
- ^ council leaders (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Erdington MP and police chief press for safety measures after two die in road tragedies (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Cyclist killed in 'hit-and-run' crash on Belgrave Middleway was dad whose 'legacy will live on' (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham City Council (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Hussien Nur Teklise (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Erdington (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ You can sign up for free here (data.reachplc.com)
- ^ here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ app (www.birminghammail.co.uk)