Shropshire horror crash victim in road safety plea
A Shropshire man who was injured in a fatal crash says life is more important than money after it emerged funds might not be available for speed cameras at the spot where the accident happened.
John McSherry and his wife Michelle were involved in a collision on the B4176, which runs off the main Bridgnorth to Wolverhampton road, in 2009.
The accident left them fighting for their lives.
Anthony Gordon, aged 37, who was more than three-and-a-half times the drink-drive limit, was killed when his Vauxhall Astra collided with Mr McSherry's Mitsubishi.
Lasting effects of the injuries the couple suffered forced them couple to close their tea rooms business which they ran at their Poplar Cottage home in Claverley.
They have since been campaigning for speed cameras on the stretch of B4176 running off the road, known locally as the Rabbit Run, where more than five people have died in crashes since 2005.
The 64-year-old wrote a letter to traffic bosses at Shropshire Council and Phillip Dunne MP, pleading for speed cameras.
Mr Dunne endorsed his calls. The council couldn't confirm if funding would be available, but added it would be considered.
Alice Dilly, Shropshire Council's principal traffic engineer, said: "Shropshire Council are very aware of concerns that have been raised by residents regarding speeding and safety matters on this route. The section of the B4176 between the Royal Oak pub and the county boundary with Staffordshire (better known as 'the Rabbit Run') has been put forward for consideration for future funding to investigate the issues and accidents. This is via our Road Safety Policy, and if funding is allocated then a suitable traffic management scheme could be designed to assist with enhancing road safety at this location.
"We are, however, unlikely to be able to confirm if any funding will be allocated until early 2017 and, if so, then design will be undertaken in the 2017/18 financial year."
Mr McSherry said: "It's always down to funds. I understand that the Government is reducing every councils' money, but how many deaths is it going to take? Do they want another death? Isn't life more important than money?
"I'm not sure exactly how much it would cost, but from inquiries I've made I've been told it would cost in the region of £30,000. That would stop the speeders.
"Money would be better spent on saving lives than on flowers or making the village look pretty, which is what the council seems to spend most of its money on," said Mr McSherry.
"They should change the classification of the road. If it was on an A-road, they have to act after one death, two maximum. But because it's a B-road they don't have to take action as quickly.
"The most recent death was in July this year less than half a mile from my house, speed-related again.
"It's busier than the A-road (Bridgnorth to Wolverhampton A454).
"There have been five deaths too many. Five families have had to endure a nightmare for the rest of their lives. Those people didn't deserve to die."
