Page 2 - link magazine

2 The Link Magazine • February 2002
Petition to be launched on 2 February

calling for action at death crossing

The police markings where the car which hit 13 year old Shaun Shirley from Toothill came to rest can still be seen faintly on the curb and
a spray of flowers hang limply from a tree trunk adopted by his friends from Greendown School, sad reminders of the tragic evening of 17
January 2001 when he was knocked down after running out into Corton Crescent.
A year later, little of note has to understand why it had to hap-
been done to make it safer, and pen."
nothing will happen until Swin- Westlea School governor Dawn
don Council has agreed its budget Dolphin who has been campaign-
for the next financial year. ing with parents for greater safety
Daily, hundreds of pedestrians on Langstone Way and Corton
and cyclists use the crossing on Crescent, and is organising the
their way to work, to shop at the petition, said, "it is so sad that two
West Swindon Centre, go to school of the three crossings at the West
at Westlea or Oliver Tomkins, or to Swindon Centre will have been
return home. On Wednesday and installed because of tragic deaths
Thursday the number of crossings to children in the last six years.
rises dramatically as children from "Please come down and sign the
Westlea School walk to swimming petition and help us get Swindon
lessons at the Link Centre. Council to do something to pre-
Now Swindon's mayor and measures on Corton Crescent," he the town's danger spots in Decem- vent another tragedy."
Toothill councillor David Cox is said. "It is a fast road on a bend, ber and agreed Corton Crescent The petition calling for immedi-
backing a petition calling for Swin- close to the fuel station entrance, was a priority for action. However ate safety measures at Corton Cres-
don Council to do something be- right by the Asda delivery bay; it is with the uncertainty over next cent will be launched on Saturday
fore there is another fatality. a very dangerous point for pedes- year's council budget, which 2 February, West Swindon Cen-
Coun Cox expressed his sympa- trians and cyclists using a desig- projects actually get built and when tre, 9am to 5pm.
thy to Sandra and Ray Shirley at a nated route. We need controlled is unknown.
rendezvous at Corton Crescent, lights, staggered barriers on both Sandra said life stopped on 17 Helpers wanted: if you can help
and said he was very disappointed sides of the roads, a raised road January last year. "How do you collect signatures on 2 February,
that so little had been done to make surface to slow traffic and good cope with the anniversary of the or at a school or workplace, intro-
the road safer for pedestrians since overhead lighting. The council has death of someone who had his life duce yourself to Dawn Dolphin or
their tragic loss. to get itself organised and I will be ahead of him? Coming to Corton call her on 876680.
Two of the three major pedes- approaching Asda to enhance the Crescent I still think I could stop Safer in Shaw. Two toucans to be
trian routes to the West Swindon safety of this site. Let's get it right." Shaun running into the road. It's installed and make your child vis-
Centre now have lights and I am Swindon Council's cabinet car- been 52 weeks since I held my son ible with a safety jacket. Stories on
pressing for maximum safety ried out the annual review of all in the hospital; it's getting harder page 30.

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