Dudley, West Midlands – Members of Parliament Alex Ballinger and Cat Eccles recently convened a meeting to address safety concerns on the 30mph dual-carriageway Thorns Road in Dudley, West Midlands. The road has seen cars exceeding the speed limit, reaching up to 70 mph, prompting calls for the installation of average speed cameras to ensure road safety.
Local residents had raised alarms about the dangerous conditions on Thorns Road, which sees heavy traffic flow of 28,000 vehicles daily, passing through residential neighborhoods, schools, and Stevens Park. The road has gained notoriety for speeding violations, reckless overtaking, and drivers failing to yield for crossings, resulting in multiple collisions and fatalities in recent years.
At the meeting, attended by police, local councilors, Dudley Council officers, and the Thorns Road Action Group, discussions centered on finding effective solutions to make the road safer for all road users. The issue was compounded by a tragic incident in September 2023, where a 27-year-old pedestrian named Salma Rafique lost her life at a pedestrian crossing adjacent to Stevens Park.
Efforts have been made by local authorities to address safety concerns, such as upgrading pedestrian crossings and deploying crossing assistants at schools. However, residents continue to voice apprehensions about the ongoing risks present on Thorns Road. The MPs noted that the challenges on Thorns Road are part of a broader issue along the A4036 between Pedmore and Holly Hall, calling for comprehensive measures to address the history of collisions along the route.
The Thorns Road Action Group has initiated a petition garnering over 2,000 signatures, urging for the implementation of traffic calming measures. Stakeholders and residents have explored various options, including the reintroduction of speed cameras to promote safer driving practices. The group’s spokesperson expressed optimism at the growing consensus among stakeholders towards adopting average speed cameras and utilizing speed enforcement units for effective traffic management.
In a joint effort, Cat Eccles emphasized the urgency of implementing safety measures along the road to prevent further tragedies, urging collaboration between local authorities, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the West Midlands Mayor. The MPs, along with the community, aim to navigate bureaucratic hurdles to facilitate the installation of speed cameras as a means to enhance road safety and reduce harm on Thorns Road. The collective commitment of the police, council, and wider community underscores a shared determination to implement practical solutions for the benefit of all road users in Dudley.