Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, is leading the battle for safer roads in Thorngumbald after a girl in the village was hit by a car.
In January, 11 year old Alexa Wrightson was on her way home from school when she was hit by a car as she crossed the road. This happened despite her using the zebra crossing in place on the main road, which Graham is told too many drivers disregard.
Graham was notified of this incident by Alexa’s grandfather, Peter Maskell, who was understandably concerned about his granddaughter’s welfare and that although she wasn’t badly injured, other people attempting to cross at that spot in the future could be.
Following correspondence with East Riding Council and Thorngumbald Parish Council about potential solutions, Graham visited the crossing to see the problem for himself. He saw many cars disregarding the zebra crossing which makes local people feel unsafe as they do their shopping and walk to school.
During the discussion it became clear that to resolve the issue residents want to see a pelican crossing to be installed so drivers can observe the traffic lights and make it safer for people of all ages to go about their daily life.
Graham was joined on the visit by South West Holderness ward Councillor John Dennis, Thorngumbald Parish Clerk Avril Russell and members of Thorngumbald Parish Council.
Make Our Roads Safer is one of Graham’s parliamentary campaigns and seeks to empower local communities to show local support for schemes such as traffic calming measures, changing speed limits and installing flashing speed signs. The campaign is to be made up of numerous initiatives in towns and villages including Patrington, Lund and Middleton, with a local champion appointed to gather evidence of local support for a scheme which local people think could make a difference.
If you have any ideas on how to improve road safety in your village, sign up to join the campaign and make your views known at: www.makeourroadssafer.org.
Alexa Wrightson, a local pupil who was hit by a car on the crossing, said: “Getting hit by a car was a scary experience and I would not want others to go through the same thing. I’m so pleased Graham is leading the campaign to make the road safer by pushing for a pedestrian crossing to be installed.”
Local MP Graham Stuart commented: “It’s every parent’s nightmare to be told that their child’s been hit by a car. That’s why I’m working with Alexa, Peter and Thorngumbald Parish Council to install a pedestrian crossing at the site so that no one else has to go through this.”
