NEWS: Nationwide campaign against dangerous driving holds public protest on the Chester Road today

Words and pics by Ed King

A nationwide campaign against dangerous driving is holding a public protest on the Chester Road in Erdington today.

Held at the crossroads off Gravelly Lane/Boldmere Road and Chester Road, the Safe Streets Now instigated protest will begin at 11am – running until 12noon, including a minute silence for all those killed and affected by road traffic accidents.

At the same spot in May this year, a cyclist was fatally hit by a car.

Running alongside similar protests across the country, co-ordinated by the National Safe Streets Now campaign, the Birmingham event will mirror those in Norwich, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Sheffield, Nottingham, Penarth, Oxford, Bristol, Bath, and Worcester.

Safe Streets Now chose the Gravelly Lane/Chester Road interchange as its Birmingham location due to the significant number of Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) that occur at busy crossroads across the city, as well as the fatal incident in May.

The national campaign is supported by organisations and charities including Brake, Roadpeace, Playting Out, and Action Vision Zero.

Dangerous driving has been a constituency wide concern across Erdington for many years, with ‘hotspots’ for fatal and life altering collisions being cited on Chester Road, Kingsbury Road, and the Tyburn Road.

All the UK-wide protests are being held on the same day the Department for Transport (DfT) will publish their Reported Road Casualties statistics for 2022.

According to the Government source, there were an estimated 1,711 RTC fatalities in Great Britain in 2022 with a further 29,742 killed or seriously injured (KSI) casualties. The report also sates there were 135,480 casualties ‘of all severities’ in the UK last year.

Protest organiser, Mat Macdonald, told Erdington Local: “Earlier this year there was a man on a bike killed at where we will be gathering on Saturday, and as part of a series of actions taking place across the country – calling for improvements to the safety of our streets – we will be gathering at that location. Essentially to reflect on the alarming trend of road deaths in the city and to have a minute’s silence to honour all the victims of road violence.”

He continued: “We’ll be gathering at the Chester Road Baptist Church… we’re going to have a few speeches, we’re going to hold some signage up, and then we’re going to culminate with the minutes silence at midday – which will be happening at several locations across the country simultaneously.”

Reverend Danny Brierley from Chester Road Baptist Church added: “I see every day the dangers of this junction. Far too many speeding cars also cross on ‘red’, creating danger for others.

“A cyclist was tragically hit by a car and died at these lights on 31 May. I was the first to reach him. Despite the amazing efforts of an off-duty firefighter and a passing A&E Doctor, then paramedics and the Air Ambulance, his injuries were too catastrophic. I still see his face.

“Despite in places having to cross four lanes of traffic, there is no pedestrian control at this junction. Parents and carers walking their kids to and from school have to chance it.

“I appreciate money is tight, but this is a dangerous junction. What price a life? As a Church Minister I’m forever saying every person is beautifully, wonderfully made in God’s image – priceless. No one deserves to lose their life due to dangerous driving at a dangerous junction.”

Organisers have asked anyone wishing to take part to meet in front of Chester Road Baptist Church, ready for the protest to begin at 11 am.

Organisers have further confirmed with Erdington Local that there will be “stewards at (the) event” helping manage activity and that “public safety is our top priority.”

For more on Safe Streets Now visit www.safestreetsnow.co.uk

OPINION: Erdington Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

Words by Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward, Conservative)

June has been another busy month, here is just some of what Cllr Gareth Moore and I have been up to in recent weeks.

We have continued to work with local Police and High Street businesses to make the High Street safer. We have written to the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police as part of our on-going call for average speed cameras on the Chester Road to help tackle people racing along the road.

This is something we have been raising with the Council for a number of years – sadly this site has seen a number of fatalities in recent years, the last leading to a reduction in the speed limit from 40 to 30mph. The Chester Road has a number of vulnerable locations including Pype Hayes Park and the Yenton School.

We are also speaking to the Council about what improvements to road safety are possible at the sites of the other recent horrific crashes locally, and will update residents when there is progress on the options.

We also supported the Neighbourhood Watch meeting to discuss HMO’s and Exempt Accommodation. Earlier this month I joined with colleagues to meet with members of the Eastern European community across North Birmingham to discuss local democracy and issues.

Finally, I have launched a petition opposing the plan to convert the Royal Oak on the corner of Marsh Lane/Short Heath Road into a 10 bed HMO. You can sign the petition at facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

For more from Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Gareth Moore visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

NEWS: Watch amazing public response to driver trapped in overturned car – following crash on Church Road

Words by Ed King

On Friday 24 June, a driver flipped their car onto its side following a road traffic collision on Church Road.

Miraculously the driver was unhurt, and after being assessed by emergency services at the scene was discharged without needing hospital attention – despite the severity of the crash. The van driver involved was also unharmed.

Although West Midlands Fire Service only took two minutes to arrive at the scene after mobilisation, the general public and eyewitnesses to the crash were also heroes of the day – rushing to the lone driver’s aid and pulling them from the wreckage.

After trying to open the car door, which was jammed shut following the impact of the crash, people at the scene used cardboard and an axe to pull out the shattered back window – eventually being able to reach the stunned driver who was trapped inside.

In a fantastic show of community and compassion, passers-by immediately rallied round to support the victim of the crash – finding bedding and soft materials for them to rest on until the emergency services arrived.

The first at the scene were West Midlands Fire Brigade, who took confident control of the situation – checking for any potential danger and securing the road, whilst administering roadside care to the driver who was shaken by thankfully not seriously hurt.

In amazing footage taken by Andreea Neagu, a local resident who lives near the scene of the crash, you can see the incredible public response as people fought their way into the upturned vehicle to rescue the driver.

There is also footage of the impressive response by West Midlands Fire Service, who put themselves on the line every day to keep the public safe.

After sending the footage to Erdington Local, Andreea Neagu said: “I would like to say that I am really proud to be part of such a great community.

“Even though I was shocked about the scene, the image of all this people trying to help the poor woman got me in tears. All be blessed!”

An official statement from West Midlands Fire Service added: “On Friday 24 June at 11.43am, West Midlands Fire Service were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Church Road, Erdington.

“Crews from Aston and Erdington Fire Stations attended the incident and the first appliance was on the scene within 2 minutes of mobilisation.

“Crews made the scene and vehicles safe following a collision involving 5 cars and a van. Four of the vehicles were parked.

“Our colleagues from West Midlands Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service were also in attendance at the scene, with one person receiving a precautionary check up at the scene. No-one was trapped in the vehicles.”

Erdington Local would like to thank every member of the public who helped at the scene, and to commend West Midlands Fire Service for their incredible response.

However it is important to ensure the saftey of anyone involved in an accident, as any untrained moving could cause more damage.

We hope the driver is OK and has the right support around them – if they need any assistance, please contact our editor: [email protected]

Public rescue driver from car crash on Church Road

West Midlands Fire Service at the scene of car crash on Church Road

NEWS: Local driver escapes serious injury in overturned car crash on Church Road

Words by Ed King and Gary O’Brien

A local driver narrowly escaped serious injury or death after overturning their car on Church Road earlier today.

At around 11:40am on Friday 24 June, emergency services were called to an incident on Church Road – just by Erdington Aquatics – involving a car and a van who had collided, with the car flipping dramatically on to its side.

Three other stationary cars were also damaged in the collision.

Miraculously, the lone driver of the car was assessed on site and discharged without needing hospital attention – despite the severity of the crash. The van driver involved was also unharmed.

Emergency services were quick to respond, with West Midlands Fire Service reaching the scene within two minutes of mobilisation.

In serious road traffic collisions, the difference between life and death can be determined in seconds, and the immediate response from Erdington’s emergency services could have played a crucial role if those involved in the accident were more seriously injured.

West Midlands Ambulance Service were also called to the accident, sending an ambulance and a paramedic officer.

Although after assessment at the scene, those involved in the collision were given advice and guidance but did not need hospital treatment.

One Erdington local resident who witnessed the crash, Andreea Neagu, posted on the Next Door website: “Accident on Church Rd, Erdington. The driver lady is ok. The fire department got here really fast. Another 3 cars hit. Please drive safe.”

An official statement from West Midlands Fire Service said: “On Friday 24 June at 11.43am, West Midlands Fire Service were called to reports of a road traffic collision on Church Road, Erdington.

“Crews from Aston and Erdington Fire Stations attended the incident and the first appliance was on the scene within 2 minutes of mobilisation.

“Crews made the scene and vehicles safe following a collision involving 5 cars and a van. Four of the vehicles were parked.

“Our colleagues from West Midlands Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service were also in attendance at the scene, with one person receiving a precautionary check up at the scene. No-one was trapped in the vehicles.”

A spokesperson from West Midlands Ambulance Service added: “We were called at 11.39am to reports of a road traffic collision involving one car on Church Road, Erdington. One ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene.

“Upon arrival we found the driver of the car. She was assessed and had injuries not believed to be serious.

“She received self care advice and was discharged at the scene.”

A statement from West Midlands Police confirmed: “This was a non-injury RTC (road traffic collision). The matter is in the hands of the insurer.”