Expert investigator to check road safety at Millennium Park

Thursday 06 October 2016

Campaigners who are trying to introduce "urgently needed" road safety measures around a town centre park are pleased that progress is being made as an expert, independent traffic investigator will soon be appointed.

Mother-of-two Nicola McAteer has been campaigning for several months to improve road safety near the Millennium Town Park - the scene of the tragic death of toddler Clinton Pringle in June.

Following three-year-old Clinton's death, after he was hit by a van near the park, campaigners began a long-running battle to improve road safety, saying that another tragedy would happen unless there were drastic changes to the road lay-out. At the heart of their concerns is the fact they believe there is not enough of a distinction between pavement and road - causing confusion to passengers and drivers.

Mrs McAteer said: "I am delighted the Parish of St Helier is to appoint an expert in the field of traffic investigation because that is something we have asked for a long time. It is a step forward as there is a general feeling that changes around the park are urgently needed, otherwise we fear there could be another awful tragedy.

"We haven't got an exact timescale for when the investigator will start, but it will be very soon and it cannot come soon enough. The investigator will look into all aspects of traffic movement at the park, including speed, the volume of traffic, road signage and current traffic calming measures. Hopefully, when that report is done we can start to see some changes, because all the local people who use the park are convinced they are required."

Clinton Pringle's father Michael has backed the campaigners and urged local politicians to introduce new safety measures around the park.   

Mrs McAteer said: "The tragedy involving Clinton seemed so long ago and since then there has been only a few very minor changes to the area around the park. We are hoping the investigator will come in and quickly make recommendations to improve safety in the area around the park."