Crash fears of children walking to school in Whittington
Parents have called for better safety measures after two serious crashes took place on the A4440 in Worcester, one at the County Hall roundabout and the other at the Whittington roundabout. CRASH: The BMW crash on the A4440 Nunnery Way in Worcester near the County Hall roundabout (Image: James Connell/Newsquest) During the first crash, a BMW ploughed into a lamppost just off the County Hall roundabout on Wednesday, October 11.
The front of the car was crushed and the lamppost bent during the crash on a grass area on Nunnery Way. Just two days later on the A4440 Swinesherd Way, a van left the road and flipped onto its side as it smashed through a metal safety barrier, completely crushing the railings. The van came to rest across a footpath close to a pedestrian crossing.
CRASH: The crash involving a white van at the A4440 Swinesherd Way in Worcester where it meets the A44 Whittington Road (Image: James Connell/Newsquest) The second crash sparked a strong reaction on the Worcester News Facebook page, particularly from parents who walk their children to school in Whittington along the path, crossing the dual carriageway at the pedestrian crossing.
Worcestershire County Council said it would wait for police reports before deciding what action to take.
Heather Wale wrote: “Kids walk that way to and from school – what is going to be done to ensure they won’t be crushed if another car comes off the roundabout? Increasing the flow of traffic on Crookbarrow Way has pushed traffic onto Whittington Road and people trying to pass others in the wrong lane to bypass the traffic.” Tony Palfrey wrote: “Lucky there were no children walking on the pavement to Whittington School.”
Jenny Woodward wrote: “The walk to school is becoming a nightmare. I have contacted the council many times over the years and nothing is ever done. I’ve seen so many near misses walking to school, where cars actually don’t stop at these lights, having to pull my daughter back on so many occasions.”
Vanessa Simkin wrote: “That roundabout is a deathtrap.” Polly Gilbert pointed out that the council have only just fixed the railings since the last crash there. A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “We are aware of the recent incidents along this stretch of road and await any information the police investigations provide, relating to these incidents.
This will inform our actions going forward.”