Brassington Avenue, part of the ring road in Sutton Coldfield, has long been a source of concern for local residents due to poor safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The tragic accident that recently occurred, claiming the life of a young woman and injuring another, has brought to light the urgent need for change. As someone who walks this road regularly returning from the train station, I can personally attest to the risks involved.

The road is notorious for being treated like a racetrack, lacking necessary traffic calming measures. Vehicles speed through with little regard for the safety of pedestrians, and this reckless behavior is facilitated by poor infrastructure that encourages high speeds. Additionally, the narrow pavements force pedestrians into the road at times, further endangering those on foot. This unsafe environment is a serious failing of local road design that demands immediate attention.

The unsafe and car-centric design of the entire ring road was acknowledged in the 2020 Sutton Coldfield Masterplan  but no action has been taken to improve pedestrian safety since then.

Statistics show that areas with comprehensive traffic calming measures see a significant reduction in accidents. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, implementing speed humps and extending pavements can reduce traffic accidents by up to 40%. These measures are essential for Brassington Avenue to safeguard pedestrians and drivers alike.

The local council must act now by installing traffic calming measures and widening the pavements. These changes are imperative to prevent future tragedies and provide a safer environment for the community.

We cannot afford to wait for another accident before taking action.