Objections over tribute at site of Telford boy's road death
Plans to put up a giant wheel opposite where a nine-year-old boy was killed crossing the road in Telford may be given the green light – despite being dubbed "insensitive".
Julie Duhra, who runs Jules Convenience Store in Haybridge Road, Hadley, has submitted a planning application to put up the bright yellow monument in tribute to the work done by manufacturing firm GKN Sankey as an employer and charity fundraiser in the community.
It has the support of the family of nine-year-old Jayden McIvor, who was killed after being hit by a car while walking along a pedestrian crossing on the road last year.
But Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council has objected to the application, saying it would be insensitive. Councillors say it will also distract drivers, increasing the risk of further crashes and accidents.
Councillor Ron Plenderleith said: "The council is of the view that this proposed structure will distract users of the road and, as a result, be a risk to their safety and that of others.
"The size and colour of the structure is such that its impact will result in drivers of vehicles taking their eyes off the highway at the approach to a heavily used pedestrian crossing which is the site of two fatalities and numerous other accidents.
"The council is also of the view that this proposal is extremely insensitive, consisting of a large brightly coloured vehicle wheel, being adjacent to the place where a young child tragically died as a result of being struck by a car only last year. We will therefore be asking that this application is refused."
Mrs Duhra said she wanted to do something to pay tribute to the work Sankey did in the community.
She said as well as providing jobs, the firm had donated thousands of pounds to worthy causes – including helping to pay for Jayden's funeral.
"Sankey is very close to the hearts of a lot of our community," she said.
"I asked Mr McIvor and spoke to lots of other people in the community. At the end of the day Sankey has always given money towards fundraising, and indeed helped towards Jayden McIvor's funeral."
Jayden's father Ross McIvor said he had written to Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council to tell them he thought the piece of art was a "very good idea".
He said:
"We don't object we think it's a very good idea. Sankeys were very supportive of us in a financial sense when Jayden died and wrote to us. Julie
taken it on her own back and done this and we are very supportive of her."
A decision is expected on October 15.