A local child was involved in a road traffic accident as the bicycle they were riding was hit by a car by the traffic lights opposite C of E School by St Chads. The child was attempting to cross the road but, by all accounts so far, he had crossed when the lights were on green for the cars. Luckily, the driver of the vehicle involved stopped immediately and no-one is blaming the driver involved. A local teenager, the cousin of the child injured, phoned the ambulance immediately and informed the families involved. The ambulance was fairly quick to get on the scene and the child himself was thankfully only bruised and shocked and was released from Alder Hey hospital after X rays found no damage.

Kirkby times has raised the issue of speeding cars many time. As stated above, the driver in the case outlined above was not speeding, but if he/she were, then the child, who happens to be this author's nephew, would possibly be dead.

Here in Kirkby, we live in a Town which was not designed for high volumes of traffic. Car ownership in the days when Kirkby was first built would have been very low. It was not until the late 60's - 70's when car ownership became something which the working class could actually afford. Kirkby is a busy intersection which has massive volumes of traffic passing through, and has both the M57 motorway and County Road bringing traffic which is increasing all the time. Combined with the actual loss of playing fields and spare land, it means younger kids are pretty much confined to the house or the garden. Car ownership by locals has shot up by a massive percentage since the early 70's for example. This means that every road see's a steady volume of traffic in all areas.

The 20 MPH Zone:

For a while now Northwood in Kirkby has had a 20 Mph zone, with clear signs indicating that the speed limit is now 20 Mph. Good Idea. It makes sense as Northwood is a residential area and apart from emergencies, the 20 Mph zone is one which should be strictly enforced. However, there seems to be little if any effort to catch the people who are blatantly driving at high speeds in Northwood. We have the stolen cars that will not adhere to a speed limit of course, they need to be stopped and Kirkby Times has gone into the issue of Stolen Cars. In effect the 20 Mph zone is another new labour illusion. Knowsley Council can brag about the fact they've bought this marvelous scheme into being - but walk the streets, or more frighteningly -ride a bicycle and try to see how safe you feel. Riding on the pavement is illegal - but where else do the many children here with bicycles ride? Kirkby times has already exposed the JOKE of a bicycle lane which actually crosses the busy exit from the M57, twice! Knowsley Council like to put across an image of concern for road safety but seem to have built a bike lane which actually doesn't cover Kirkby. Maybe the money ran out? Maybe Knowsley Council should actually be forced to explain how they messed that simple project up. Let's hope the lane is completed, and also that a bicycle lane is built alongside the tram-lane.

A very dangerous situation caused by Knowsley Council neglect.

There has been an illegal Car Park set up near Kirkby Town centre on the grounds of the previous building which was the old Labour Party Club and a site for many various clubs till the last one was mysteriously burned down. Since the club was demolished it has become a Car Park, although only two minutes away is a purpose built car park which seems to be exclusively used by Mc Donalds and is always empty. The Car drivers have been encouraged by the Council to park in the illegal car park instead of one which is built purposely, no traffic wardens have ever issued tickets, and the land itself seems to be subject to the wreck and sell policy which is adhered to by Knowsley Council. The land itself is dangerous, and full of potholes, it is also used as a rubbish tip with debris periodically being dumped there.

Below, the Illegal Car Park with no safety provision or supervision.



The 'car park' is surely breaking laws as hundreds of cars are parked there and there are no signs or right of way or any order enforced. Cars are coming out from several exits, and it makes crossing the road, in full sight of the Police station, very very dangerous indeed. It is a miracle no-one has been killed in this dangerous black-spot. The Council have simply let the situation develop and will likely suggest selling off the land to a retail supermarket as predicted by Kirkby Times. The land should be made into a play area, it would be a good site for a community centre.



One good move in Merseyside is that the Chief Coroner Andre Rebello will recreate an inquest using volunteers to act as witnesses and bereaved families. He will then invite teenagers, aged from 14 to 16, to see how reckless driving can ruin lives. There's been some good things said about the new Coroner here, Kirkby times salutes him for this brave move to use shock tactics. Hopefully it can be videoed and played to the schools.

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