A PETITION launched by the parents of a 10-year-old girl killed at a pedestrian crossing has been backed by a council leader, who has called for urgent action.
Toufik and Yvonne Moumen launched a campaign after their daughter Yesmine died in December 2010 following a collision with a car in Monkswood Way, Stevenage, and have now received support from Stevenage Borough Council leader and county councillor Sharon Taylor.
Kevin Ruder, of Keller Close, Stevenage, was cleared of causing death by careless driving in March 2012.
Mr and Mrs Moumen started petitioning Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) in May to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on the dual carriageway, as well as introduce cameras to catch speeding motorists and those who don’t obey traffic signals at the crossing.
So far about 600 signatures have been collected, with Cllr Taylor the latest to back the campaign. “We must not allow another tragedy to happen at the junction,” said the borough council leader, who also represents the Bedwell division in Stevenage for HCC.
“We have to put as much pressure on the county council to consider these measures as soon as possible and to act.
“The best solution would be to build an underpass but due to cost this is unlikely to happen, so we need to put some measures in place now. Reducing the speed limit and installing cameras would help stop this being such a dangerous crossing.”
Cllr Taylor also raised concerns that the phasing times of the traffic lights at the crossing were not long enough for pedestrians, particularly for elderly residents who live nearby.
She told the Comet she would be writing letters about the petition to ASDA supermarket and North Hertfordshire College, both based near to the crossing, and plans to meet with HCC representatives to discuss funding.
Mr Moumen, who met Cllr Taylor last week, said: “I was very pleased with our meeting – she understands the urgent nature of the situation. We don’t want anyone to get hurt and HCC should act before something terrible happens.”
HCC installed a temporary CCTV camera at the crossing last December and reported its findings earlier this year.
The traffic survey said traffic signal timings “appeared to be correct”, that there were “no obvious cases of drivers going through red lights” and that the majority of motorists were driving under the 40mph speed limit.
To sign the petition visit consult.hertsdirect.org/petitions
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