Bristol teen's death sparks road safety debate
The possibility of banning traffic on the stretch of road leading to the spot where Troy Atkinson was knocked down will be discussed later this month.
The death of 15-year-old Troy, who died after being hit by a car at the junction of Penn Street, Broad Weir and Lower Castle Street, has again called pedestrian safety into question.
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Bristol teen Troy Atkinson's death sparks road safety debate
In March, the Bristol Evening Post reported that changes were being looked into that might see traffic banned from The Horsefair and Penn Street, which currently divide Broadmead from the newly-opened £500 million Cabot Circus.
Yesterday, Broadmead manager John Hirst said Troy's death would be discussed at the next meeting on Tuesday, May 12 between the city council, Broadmead and Cabot Circus management.
He said: "We were very disturbed by the tragic incident – it is terrible that a life should be lost on the roads in the city.
"For many different reasons we are looking at the possibility of pedestrianising the Horsefair and Penn Street.
"Discussions have begun to look at whether we can do this. There are many different reasons for this, but pedestrian safety is one of them.
"We would like to do whatever we can to make the centre of Bristol as safe as it possibly can be."
The man arrested after the fatal hit and run in Bristol city centre has been released on bail.
Police have revealed the man, who was held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the accident on Tuesday, is 18 years old and not 28 years old as previously reported.
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by Anon, Bristol
Saturday, May 02 2009, 10:16AM
“Look at the Anchor road/ bottom of Park street junction. How long has it taken for that entire section to be redesigned? Hmm, lets change it because a minor television personality got knocked down whilst a bit drunk. The amount of times i have driven through there (daily) and people have their phones or ipods stuck to their ears and have no idea about the traffic around them. Old Market is another one, people just randomly walking into the middle of the road without a care in the world for all the traffic around them.
Yes, Troys death was a tradgedy, however, as Anne has said, that particular spot is not an accident hotspot, just an area where a driver decided to jump through some red lights and end a young life.
Moving the traffic elsewhere will just shift the problem on which obviously does not solve a single thing.
More consideration from both road users AND pedestrians would be part way to creating a safe crossing.
Lets put this to bed now people as it would seem that people seem to want to pull this out and jump on the bandwagon of slating peoples views.”
by Michael, Bemmy
Friday, May 01 2009, 4:00PM
“If you want to see a PROPER accident blackspot just stand and observe pedestrians crossing the road at the end of Baldwin st on the Centre, people on their mobile phones totally oblivious to whats going on and crossing when the lights are in favour of buses.
If it were not for the buses giving way, even though their light is green there could be a fatality EVERY day.
Don't take my word for it just see for yourself,,,,frightening!”
by Dean Chapman & Matt Templar, Hartcliffe bristol
Friday, May 01 2009, 3:00PM
“R.i.P mate, u will be sadly missed by loads, its a shame it had to happen to such a great peron love you mate, see you soon x”
by Anne, Bristol
Friday, May 01 2009, 2:36PM
“If they banned cars then Tash, the cars would drive somewhere so you are back to square one. A totally unworkable solution I'm afraid.”
by Anne, Bristol
Friday, May 01 2009, 2:34PM
“Laura if it hasn't had an accident there for years what exactly are they going to review? Do you expect the council to review every junction in Bristol?”