Last chance to back bid for 20mph speed limit on South Shields estate

A petition launched after an elderly man was left fighting for his life after being knocked down on a pedestrian crossing is back out in circulation.
Petition organiser Michelle Walters is joined by fellow Lord Blyton Primary School parents and children at the Wenlock Road crossing.Petition organiser Michelle Walters is joined by fellow Lord Blyton Primary School parents and children at the Wenlock Road crossing.
Petition organiser Michelle Walters is joined by fellow Lord Blyton Primary School parents and children at the Wenlock Road crossing.

Michelle Walters, a friend of the pensioner, launched the petition calling for a 20mph speed limit for Wenlock Road, in Simonside, South Shields.

The move comes after the man and his wife were struck by a vehicle, which failed to stop, as they crossed Wenlock Road just before Christmas.

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The man, who was being treated at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary for serious head injuries, has since been moved to South Tyneside District Hospital where he is still receiving treatment.

The petition is calling for the safety of the road to be looked at.

The issue was first raised by residents five years ago.

Within weeks of the petition being launched, hundreds put their name to it.

The petition was collected in over the Christmas period but is now back in circulation.

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It will remain in the Sainsbury’s store in Binchester Street for people to sign until noon on Wednesday, January 27.

The move is backed by the family of the couple.

Michelle said: “The support to the petition has been really good and it is still ongoing.

“People are saying this road and the crossings should have been looked at a long time ago.

“A lot of people worry about crossing it at that point.

“We would like to see as many people as possible sign the petition and hopefully get the council to listen and do something about it.”

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A Facebook page – Changes to the road needed at Wenlock Road – has been created for people to leave their comments and to find out where the petition can be signed.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said the local authority will consider any petition that is sent through and its road safety team will carry out an investigation.