Safety measures set for road where driver killed

Harry Chapman died when his Ford Fiesta was hit by a car travelling at 97mph in a 30mph zone

Traffic calming measures are to be installed on the road where a 20-year-old man was killed by a speeding drink driver.

The sister of Harry Chapman had launched a petition in his memory to make Aldridge Road in Streetly, West Midlands, safer.

Lola said she began the campaign because she was frustrated nothing had been done to improve the road since his death in 2022.

Walsall Council said work to install carriageway-wide speed bumps, and improve pedestrian safety and access to bus stops would take place in August.

Scott Gorey was driving his Jaguar XF at 97mph in a 30mph zone on Aldridge Road when he hit Mr Chapman's Ford Fiesta on 7 October ,2022.

Gorey, from Sutton Road, Walsall, was jailed for 11 years and three months in December after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.

Asked about the length of time between the safety work and the crash, Adrian Andrew, deputy council leader, said in many cases like this, the council had to wait until the police investigation had concluded.

"We have reacted in a way that seems to be in the best interests of local people," Mr Andrew said.

Harry's mother said she could not drive down Aldridge Road following her son's death

Residents had been consulted on the work and supported it, he added.

Harry Chapman's mother Claire said speed humps were "an OK start," but visibility on Aldridge Road also needed improving.

That could involve the use of mirrors, as well as flashing signs to deter drivers from speeding, she said.

Mr Andrew told BBC Radio WM he could ask council officers to look at installing additional measures.

But he stressed the planned speed bumps would be "much more effective" than the type often installed.

Humps are normally small and sit in the middle of the carriageway, he said, whereas the ones on Aldridge Road would cover the whole road.