Dear All,
The following (see below) was recently posted in the Herts and Essex Observer. Please help if you can. It does exemplify our concerns regarding safety on our neighbourhood roads, of which we are making efforts to improve.
POLICE are appealing for the public’s help to trace a car driver who failed to stop following a collision with a cyclist in Stansted.
The 50-year-old rider was taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford with a fractured pelvis after the incident involving a black convertible Audi TT at the Church Road junction with Walson Way at 11.25am on Sunday (January 15).
Investigating officer PC Nigel Taplin said: “We believe the Audi TT was the new shape. We want to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or saw the car drive off.”
Witnesses are urged to call the Bocking road policing unit via the Essex Police non-emergency number, 101
I wish the cyclist a speedy recovery – I hope that the driver is found. This does highlight the need for action to be taken on the roads in and around Foresthall Park to make them safer. Previous posts and comments have already mentioned some of the danger spots. Remember also the incident last year at the bridleway crossing over Church Road (http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/Dunmow-Stansted/Safety-call-on-Stansted-road-after-boy-hit-by-car.htm). I urge Highways and the District and Parish Councils to look at this urgently – especially considering that the new primary school will be opening later this year.
How awful. We were just arriving back through Walson Way when we saw the Police there, we did wonder what had happened. Hope the cyclist has made a full recovery.
I am astounded at the absolute disregard for other people by those who are parking their cars directly opposite the exit from Hampton Road onto Walson Way. If you are turning right from here and a car is parked directly in front, you have to take a deep breath and hope for the best when you exit as bad planning has also made it a complete blind spot! I have had several near misses at this junction due to inconsiderate parking and people speeding through Walson Way.
From Highway Code:
243
DO NOT stop or park:
opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space
Or I find common sense just as useful!
There was another accident at this junction tonight. Looked like 2 cars. Police cars and ambulance in attendance. What is it going to take to sort this junction/road out? Church Road in particular is very dangerous, cars speeding along at 40/50 mph plus. I used to cycle from the estate to the station down there, but I don’t feel safe doing that any more. Not that being a pedestrian makes you feel particularly safe either… Something needs to be done to slow the traffic down in this area.
Ben – I agree. We keep being told that it is being looked into but this is the fourth incident in the last year that I’m aware of on that stretch of road. I think Speedwatch is a good initiative but more will need to be done to reduce the speed of traffic. On a related note, it was disappointing to learn earlier in the year that the plan to widen the Church Road pavement has been dropped. We will keep pressing for action.