Stockwood dad urges road action after girl injured
A DAD wants traffic-calming measures on a road in Stockwood after his daughter was hit by a car.
Richard Blake has urged Bristol City Council to take action to lower speeds along Lyons Court Road, which has a 30mph limit.
Last week, his nine-year-old daughter Abbey needed hospital treatment after she rode out on her bicycle in front of a car. She was left with a 5in gash on her head, a swollen face and cuts and bruises.
Though Mr Blake accepts the driver was not at fault nor speeding when the accident happened, he believes drivers often go too fast on the residential road close to where children play.
He believes it is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured or killed on the street, which is near his home in Newnham Close.
Mr Blake says speed could be cut if bumps or an interactive "slow down" sign were put up.
But the chances of traffic calming measures being installed could be slim, as the city council says the accident involving Abbey was the only one in the past three years.
"I want to start a petition to get something done. A lot of drivers go speeding up the road and around the corner," said Mr Blake, 40.
"We need to make the council aware that the road is dangerous and drivers are travelling at speeds above the 30mph limit. It's just a matter of time before a child will be killed.
"There are always a lot of children around in the area – there can be anything up to 20 at one time on the little green near the road.
"I don't understand why people are speeding – it makes no sense because everyone knows children are nearby."
Kate Hartas, spokeswoman for Bristol City Council, said: "There were no recorded injury accidents around Lyons Court Close in the three years before this incident.
"The council's road safety officers will be happy to speak with Mr Blake if he contacts them, and may arrange a site visit to discuss his concerns."
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by kaz, bristol
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 6:26PM
“i am so glad that you told all about abbies injurys WITNESS as some seem to think she got off with just a scratch, it could have been a lot worse.Ann you want all cyclists to stay off the pavement does that include children? and when did this become all about cyclists? Alex i feel she is trying to start a debate but also loves to wind people up if they do not agree with her JMHO”
by Alex, Bristol
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 1:41PM
“Oh Anne. You are silly! I'm not playing your round-and-round-we-go childish games anymore!
Think about the wider problem as to why this occurs.”
by A WITNESS, stockwood
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 1:26PM
“KAZ, thankyou for your input i thought it was only me who gets annoyed with the speeding cars driving sometimes flat out along lyons court road.. yes something should be done about it lets hope hey that things will one day be put in place before a tragedy happens.....we need more people like you.... good input as well alex... ill enlighten you all on the injurys-- 5in x 2 in gash to the forehead, split lips upper and lower, loose front adult tooth, severe bruising and swelling to right side of her face, looked like she went a few rounds with mike tyson... so yes people she got away with her life (but only just) a few inches to the front of the car and this would have been a completely different story...as said before she avoided an accident with her friend, and ended up in the road by ACCIDENT so lets stop ALL THIS SHE WAS RIDING IN THE ROAD BUSINESS... and i also agree with alex and paul with regards to their comment on residential areas, cars should slow down and expect the unexpected with regards children playing etc etc etc...”
by Anne, Bristol
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 1:09PM
“Alex you are right, I do have it in for cyclists who ride on the pavement. I'm happy to say it again - they are breaking the law. They get right on my nerves ringing their bells to make me get out of the way when I'm walking where I have every legal right to walk.”
by Steve, Southville
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 12:02PM
“Alex, you shouldn't believe your own stereotypes!
I object to a pointless tax, but I'm by no means a petrolhead.
Residential streets are for people, first and foremost and vehicles must accommodate them, not vice versa.”
by cubist, Bristol
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 11:14AM
“Anne the pavement versus road argument doesn't work. The whole of the Centre, Queen Square, Broadmead (including the pedestrianised areas), Docks and Harbourside are shared space. I suspect that people not being aware of this contributes to the tension between cyclists and pedestrians.”
by Alex, Bristol
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 11:04AM
“Anne, it's not about "wanting", it's about understanding the battle for space between drivers/cyclists/pedestrians.
You have it in for cyclists who go on pavements, but you fail to see the root of the problem. I've tried to explain this to you. Not going to do it again.
Karen, please can you clarify as to exactly what you are on about? As I can't work it out.”
by karen, bristol
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 10:51AM
“You also say "How can anyone blame the girl" ... well it was because "she" rode out into the road in front of the car.??? mike abbie did not ride out in front of the car her wheel went in to the curb, the driver never slowed down sheeeshhh some peeps”
by Anne, Bristol
Wednesday, September 10 2008, 10:37AM
“Unfortunately Alex we don't all get what we want in life. I want cyclists to get off my pavement, you want good cycle paths so they can ride safely on the road. Never going to happen in a month of Sundays.”
by Alex, Bristol
Tuesday, September 09 2008, 10:00PM
“Steve, Southville, I find myself agreeing with you (blimey) though I think residential roads should be 15mph rather than 20mph. Other than that, spot on!”