The mother of a six-year-old boy killed by a van on his way home from school has said she has often felt “unheard” in her campaign to improve road safety, as conditions across the city fail to improve. Joanne Colleran, who lost her son Bobby in 2014, set up a trust in the six-year-old’s name more than a decade ago to protect children.
Road safety emergency declared
As Liverpool Council officially declared a road safety emergency at its full meeting on Wednesday, a statement from Joanne set out how she felt things had not got better in the 12 years since her son’s death. The trust is working with Better Streets for Liverpool in their campaign to change the culture around motoring throughout the city.
Rebecca Sharkey, who chairs the group, said since moving from London 18 months ago she does not feel safe using her bike on Liverpool roads. She appeared before the city council in April to put over 10 requests to make active travel a safer and more secure experience for all.
Ten requests put forward
At the time, Liverpool Council said it echoed many of the sentiments put forward, particularly for the most vulnerable road users. Among the 10 requests being put forward by Better Streets includes clear and accessible pavements, traffic calming measures and giving priority to people walking and wheeling in high streets and town centres. This would include upgrading crossings, reducing wait times and giving enough time to cross.
Cllr Tom Crone, leader of the Green Party group, laid down a fresh motion for Wednesday’s council meeting that has been adopted without debate.
‘Things seem to have got worse’
Shaun Herr, a volunteer with the Better Streets for Liverpool campaign, told the authority how despite it backing the 10 asks, “things seem to have got worse” on the roads. He also shared a statement from Bobby’s mum Jo.
It said: “My six-year-old son Bobby is not a statistic from past data, he is a real little boy, my little boy. He has a mum, dad and three brothers who love and miss him always. He should be 18 now, we live a daily life of heartbreak, pain and struggle. It does not go away or get easier with time, it gets harder. Liverpool’s roads have not improved since my son’s accident in October 2014. I’ve campaigned for nearly 12 years for safer streets and have many times felt unheard but my love for him and value for life means I never give up.”
Joanne’s statement added it was now the city’s time to “make a positive change and make our roads safe so no other family has to suffer this heartbreak and life-changing experience.” Shaun said the 10 asks put forward by Safer Streets provided a “blueprint for change” with some requiring “strong political courage.”
20mph speed limit call
He cited how the move to reduce speed limits to 20mph in Wirral had led to a 23% decrease in road traffic collisions. He added: “If we’re serious about making Liverpool a place where children can safely walk, scoot and cycle to school, we must enforce a 20mph default speed limit as soon as possible.”
Responding, Cllr Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool Council, said the authority was “dedicated” to improve road safety and said more school streets - where restrictions are placed on access during peak times by vehicles - would continue to be rolled out. The council boss said officers were also continuing to assess how to progress the 20mph speed limit further across the city.
