Speed campaign steps up in Shrewsbury after pedestrian hit

The woman was walking along the narrow pavement in New Street, Shrewsbury, on Saturday when she was hit by the wing mirror of a passing vehicle.

Joy Bellingham, who lives on the busy road, said pedestrians getting knocked by cars and vans is a regular occurrence.

"Thankfully my husband saw what happened and was there to help the poor young lady," Mrs Bellingham said.

"When I got there her hand was terribly bruised already and she was in shock. If that was a child, they would have been hit in the head."

Residents have long-campaigned for a 20mph limit on New Street with a view to making it one-way in the future.

But Mrs Bellingham said Shropshire Council has carried out a feasibility study and has concluded that there is not enough evidence to justify the need.

"They've had a lot of evidence from me," she said.

"Every day I speak to more people who say they've also been hit by a wing mirror. Unfortunately they don't think it's important enough to report to the police, but it is.

"That way Shropshire Council would have accurate statistics that show accidents are happening on this road and it's dangerous."

The campaign group is handing out stickers to people in New Street to put on their wheelie bins asking for drivers to slow down.

Councillor Julian Dean said he is disappointed that Shropshire Council has not extended the 20mph speed limit into Frankwell and New Street after proposing it for the town centre.

"This whole area should be treated like an extension of the town centre," he said.

"Shropshire Council knows the strength of feeling out here. To include Franwell and New Street in the 20mph zone wouldn't be much more of an expense.

"The speed limit is just the first step however, then they should look into making it one way. It's dangerous the way it is because the pavements are too narrow an the speed limit is too high. Something needs to be done."

The 20mph stickers are also available from Frankwell Post Office.