Warning after two deaths on ‘death trap’ Walton road

A road safety campaigner says drivers often seen driving at speeds up to three times the limit

05:00, 01 Jun 2026

Cllr Si Jones on Abingdon Road, Walton(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

A councillor has warned "it could happen again" after two people were killed in separate crashes on the same road in two years. Labour councillor Si Jones has launched a campaign calling for traffic calming measures on Abingdon Road in Clubmoor following the deaths of Charlie Lowe, 10, and Daniel Cairney, 77.

The residential road, close to Asda[1] and used as a cut-through between Utting Avenue and Walton[2] Hall Avenue, has become the focus of growing concern among residents over speeding drivers.

Charlie Lowe died in April 2023[3] after being struck by a Ford Kuga travelling at 51mph in a 20mph zone. The 10-year-old had just got out of his mum's parked car and was crossing the road towards Asda when he was hit.

Driver John Harkins later admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court in September 2024.

He was driving at over two-and-a-half times the permitted speed limit.

Charlie Lowe died after being hit by a car on Abingdon Road in Walton(Image: Merseyside Police)

Sentencing him, Judge Garrett Byrne said the speed limit existed "to prevent accidents, to provide a greater reaction time for drivers and to minimise the risk of serious injury following an accident".

In October 2025, 77-year-old Daniel Cairney died after being hit[4] by an Audi on the same road.

Daniel, described by his family as a "gentle and friendly" man, was taken to hospital following the crash but died a short time later.

James Smith, 44, of Brookwood Road, in Huyton[5], has been charged with drug driving. He was bailed and is due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court[6] on Friday, June 5.

Now councillor Si Jones says enough is enough and is calling for immediate safety improvements.

Daniel Cairney, 77, died following a crash on Abingdon Road in Walton(Image: Family handout)

The 29-year-old, who described Abingdon Road as a "death trap", said concerns first emerged around the time of Charlie Lowe's death.

He told the ECHO[7]: "There's always been an awareness of the fact that there are no speed restrictions, speed bumps or cameras on Abingdon Road.

"It's a residential road, but the road on the other side of Asda - Richard Kelly Drive - has speed bumps, and it's also residential. So that's something I've been asking about for the last few years."

The councillor said he has been in discussions with Liverpool Council[8] about introducing traffic calming measures, but claims progress has been too slow.

He said: "Given that we are three years on since the first fatality, and there's been no progress, something needs to be done now.

"I use the road a lot and see cars speeding at upwards of 50, 60mph.

It's happened twice before - it could happen again."

Cllr Jones believes the road's layout creates additional dangers for pedestrians.

He said: "Cars are parked tightly on one side of the road where the houses are, so if you're crossing over from that side, you're in a blind spot. It's a 20 zone for a reason.

Abingdon Road, Walton.

Photo by Colin Lane(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

"There's a lot of young families in the area with young kids, and there's a couple of schools nearby as well. Unfortunately they're near a road where a lot of speeding goes on, and it creates a massive risk for pedestrians."

A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council[9] said: "Everyone using our roads should be able to do so safely and confidently. We take all concerns about speeding and road safety extremely seriously.

"Each year, the Council reviews all road traffic collision data provided by Merseyside Police in which someone has been killed or seriously injured to see where additional measures may help reduce further incidents.

"This evidence-based analysis informs our Local Safety Scheme programme, which prioritises locations deemed at risk of similar collisions.

We are currently finalising the programme for the coming year and will consider the collision history on Abingdon Road as part of this.

"Should the road be identified for further action, we will engage directly with the local community to discuss potential measures."

Anyone wishing to sign the petition can do so here[10].

Roads Policing Sergeant Garreth Berry said: "We are aware of the recent concerns from residents on Abingdon Road following two fatal collisions in 2023 and October last year.

"Patrols have been deployed to Abingdon Road as a result of the collisions and our roads policing team have continued to do enforcement and education activities in the surrounding area.

"We know there is always more work to be done but I want residents to feel reassured that following these actions our officers are committed in preventing any further collisions in the area.

"If you live on Abingdon Road and have any concerns, you can report it via the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership website (Contact - Merseyside Road Safety Partnership[11]) and we will review them."

Anyone with information about the crash in which Daniel Cairney was killed should contact Merseyside Police social media desk using X or Facebook[12] @MerPolCC.

You can also report information via the force's website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/[13] or by calling 101 quoting incident reference 25000893346.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously[14] In an emergency always call 999.

References

1. ^ Asda (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Walton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ Charlie Lowe died in April 2023 (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
4. ^ Daniel Cairney died after being hit (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
5. ^ Huyton (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
6. ^ Liverpool Magistrates' Court (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
7. ^ the ECHO (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
8. ^ Liverpool Council (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
9. ^ Liverpool City Council (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
10. ^ here (forms.gle)
11. ^ Contact - Merseyside Road Safety Partnership (tracking.vuelio.co.uk)
12. ^ Facebook (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
13. ^ https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ (tracking.vuelio.co.uk)
14. ^ https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously (tracking.vuelio.co.uk)