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Protest in 'Death Valley': Residents demand speed cameras after road claims another life


Clear message . . . some of the people who were backing last night’s protest including Robert Priestley and Lewis Dobson, both seven

« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryADVERTISEMENTPublished Date: 09 July 2009
By Jean Trotter
ANGRY protesters took to the streets with placards last night appealing to motorists to slow down.

Frustrated residents in Halifax Road, Brighouse, who have been campaigning for safety measures for months, are pushing for urgent action.

Adults and children gathered at the end of Granny Hall Lane with placards carrying 'Please Slow Down' slogans.

They said it was time something was done on the busy road which is fast becoming known as 'Death Valley'. They say the only answer is fixed cameras.

Residents have stepped up their campaign following the fatal accident involving motorcyclist 28-year-old Christopher Camplin.

"We are worried about the many people who use this road," said mother of two sons, Mrs Helen Priestley, who helped organise the demonstration. "We have had numerous accidents in the area. We have sent in a petition to the council before and nothing seems to get done. We are now pleading to the council to take action before there is another fatality."

Her husband Michael said the situation had got so bad after the fatality that some people were talking of leaving the area.

"We feel there is a lack of support. It is a tragedy that this lad has died and we do not want any more fatalities," he said.

After residents campaigned last year mobile cameras were introduced on the stretch of road from Brighouse through to Hove Edge but residents still feel more needs to be done.

"The mobile cameras have been in use and the signs are up but we need something permanent to make sure drivers keep to the 30mph limit all the time," said Jill Dobson

And mother-of-two Karen Rothwell said it was essential action was taken.

Brighouse High School student, 12-year-old Tyler Carr, who walks down Halifax Road each afternoon, said the road was always busy.

"I try and cross in a safe place but it can be frightening," she said.

Her father Andrew Carr said he took his daughter to school each morning but it was a worry when she was walking home.

The residents are being backed by all three Brighouse councillors – Joyce Cawthra, Howard Blagbrough and Colin Stout.

They have met with council officers to push the case for cameras.

"But it was not a positive meeting," said Coun Blagbrough (Con). "We are still pushing though for cameras. Unfortunately the road lends itself to speeding and the dips and bends make it very dangerous."

Coun Cawthra (Con) said she avoided the road as much as possible.

"Officers told us cameras were not popular but I maintain losing lives is not popular," she said.

Coun Stout (Ind) was angry that the lower valley was the only area of Calderdale without cameras.

"Other areas have them such as King Cross and Ovenden in Halifax," he said. "The time has come for fixed cameras in Halifax Road."

He said there had been too many accidents in the area including fatalities and serious injuries.

"It is becoming known as 'Death Valley'," he said. "Now is the time for action. We will continue to fight until something is done and we are determined to get the message over to council officers."

Coun Stout said as well as speeding motorists there were additional problems with illegal parking along Granny Hall Lane.

"This all adds to the problems and makes the area dangerous," he said.
The councillors have asked for the issue to be discussed at a regeneration and development meeting as soon as possible.

The full article contains 595 words and appears in Brighouse Echo newspaper.Page 1 of 2Next Page »

Last Updated: 09 July 2009 12:32 PM
Source: Brighouse Echo
Location: Brighouse
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Residents have stepped up their campaign following the fatal accident involving motorcyclist 28-year-old Christopher Camplin.

I try and cross in a safe place but it can be frightening,

Officers told us cameras were not popular

Has the local authority done a speed survey? If so, what were the results?

And, as Steve says, very often the real underlying complaint is not so much the speed of traffic but the volume of traffic.

A speed survey would be a reasonable starting point.

Most often speed and volume are mutually exclusive.

That may well be. A better one may be examination of the problems on that road (including the collision), or possible reengineering of it (surfaces, priorities, sight lines [also to aid crossing], pedestrian crossing facility) or more fundamentally: education for how to cross it.


Really? Could you substantiate that?
If what you say is true then perhaps in this case it is indeed the volume and not the speed?