A YEAR ON AND STILL WAITING FOR SAFETY

IT is now 12 months since the fatal accident at the junction of Whitfield Lane and Milner Road, Heswall. Since then nothing has changed to improve safety.

As residents of Whitfield Lane we use this junction regularly. When travelling south we approach with apprehension, for the bend is regularly 'cut' by vehicles travelling fast from the Barnston Road direction. We cannot take avoiding action as there is nowhere to go.

Sooner or later there will be another accident.

Twelve months ago I made these suggestions to W.B.C. officers:

- that the view for drivers be improved by removing the hedge and replacing with see-through fencing. I note that Cheshire County Council has taken this action in recent months, in mid-Cheshire to make, to my knowledge, at least two 'blind' bends 'open to sight' and therefore 100 per cent safer. (B5130)

If Cheshire can do it, why not Wirral? I note that a local Barnston farm has been equipped with traffic lights to enable safe movement of cows across the main road. Perhaps a small piece of field might be sacrificed at the Whitfield Lane bend to improve safety and save a life?

- that 'rumble-studs' be set in the centre white line leading to, and on, the bend. Thus any driver careless enough to cross the centre line will be left in no doubt of the fact, and hopefully, return to his/her correct lane.

Of these suggestions, the first is to be preferred, the second would be cheaper.

Some action must be taken before another fatality. A year has gone by and still we are waiting.

Whitfield Lane, Heswall

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.